Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Aaron Barriga
Contact lenses can significantly affect lifestyle choices of those with weak vision. This area of eye-wear has seen technological improvement in terms of materials used and designs of contact lenses, allowing greater flexibility to all the users.
You can choose between daily wear contact lenses and extended wear contact lenses. The difference between these two is that the daily wear contact lenses are designed to be removed each day for cleaning and are to be removed before you sleep or nap, and the extended wear contact lenses can be worn continuously for up to 7 days before they need to be removed for cleaning. The daily wear contact lens should not be worn for extended time as misuse can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the cornea.
The latest favourite is extended wear contact lenses. These are contact lenses that can be worn continuously for six nights and seven days, some even for a month. You can keep these lenses on even while you sleep.
Are Extended Wear Contact lenses Good For Me
If you wear contact lenses regularly or for a long time every day, extended wear contacts will be a good option to consider. The modern day extended wear contact lenses are made with silicone hydrogel lens which allow more oxygen to pass through the lenses to the eyes. It decreases the risk of hypoxia which is responsible for making the cornea more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
Moreover, almost all the extended wear contact lenses are disposable that can be discarded after 2 weeks or a month. This prevents build-up of proteins and other lens deposits that cause eye inflammation and discomfort and create a hospitable environment for the growth of infection-causing microorganisms. All these factors suggest that wearing extended contact lenses is definitely a good idea.
Benefits of Extended Wear Contact lenses
Apart from the obvious benefit of not having to constantly remove the lenses, there are other benefits as well.
- People with highly active or unpredictable lifestyles will benefit the most. It is great for those who are outdoors for long periods of time and aren’t always able to clean or handle the lenses properly. Extended wear contact lenses eliminate the need for regular care. Military personnel, emergency
workers, pilots etc. would greatly benefit from these lenses. - Contact lenses are worn by people with weak sight, but some have exceptionally bad vision. Those who suffer from high refractive errors will find it helpful to have a clear vision at all times. The difference can be felt when you wake up in the morning or unexpectedly at night and see
everything clearly. - Those with binocular abnormalities, including amblyopia, can be tackled with extended contact lenses and the continuous vision correction it provides.
Risks and Preventive Measures
One of the biggest risks that come with using extended wear contact lenses is eye infections. Most of these infections, especially fungal eye infections can potentially lead to blindness. It might develop a condition where the blood vessels in your eye grow toward your iris in an attempt to address a need for oxygen. This is known as neovascularization. You may experience irritation and inflammation in the eyes as well.
The good news is that these risks can be minimized by taking some precautions like:
- Removing extended lenses, whenever possible, before sleeping
- Avoiding smoke or poorly ventilated conditions
- Always washing hands before handling the lenses
- Removing the lenses before swimming or cleaning them after the swim
- Never wearing the lenses after their expiry date
What Are the Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses for Me
There are a variety of extended contact lenses in the market. Choose the lenses based on two factors: the lens type and eye doctor’s evaluation of your eyes’ tolerance for overnight wear. Consult with your doctor and weigh all the pros and cons before making the final decision. If you experience irritation, redness or inflammation in the eye, or if the lenses hinder with your vision, remove them immediately and visit a doctor. Make an appointment with the eye care in Fresno and welcome the comfort and flexibility that extended wear lens bring.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
