How Long Can You Wear Daily Contacts?
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Daily contacts are those that you wear for just one day and them toss at the end of the say when you take them out. However, tossing at the end of the day can feel weird especially if you used to wear monthly lenses. It can be tempting to try are reuse these single day ones but we hope this article helps you to understand why you really do need to toss them after their solo use. No matter if you wore them the whole day or for just a few hours, once they come out their useful life is over.
These lenses are thinner than the monthly options, thus they are prone to tears and rips if you try and take them in and out. That’s not to say that if upon putting one in the first try and things just don’t feel right you can’t take them out and rinse them with solution to then try again. That should be completely fine, but do keep in mind their more fragile state. Likewise, if you need to use eye drops to rewet your beautiful eyes during the day, this should be completely fine. Patients with dry eye often find that daily contacts are a good way to go since they are fresh each day you choose to put them in.
Both daily and monthly contact lenses should only be worn for their recommended amount of time, which is to say, sleeping in either is not a good choice. Likewise, both should be thrown away at the end of their life cycle regardless of the actual amount of hours spent in your eyes. It is tempting to try and reuse contacts when we only put them in for a few hours, however dailies should always be thrown away immediately upon taking them out of your eyes. Monthly lenses are only good for 30 days of use once opened. Even if you only end up putting them in for half the days of the month, you still need to toss them once that 30 days is up. Think of this like drinking expired milk- YUK!
Using any lenses for longer than their intended amount of time can lead to eye problems down the line. Your eyes can become dry or infected, which can cause larger issues too. Infections are especially bad as some of the problems that occur can not be reversed, just managed. Washing your hands before ever touching your lenses and eyes is imperative to ensure you are not contaminating either. Even when mid-day something feels amiss, it is best to go to a restroom and wash your hands before you try and adjust your lenses. Clean hands and fresh solution that is not expired is the best habit you can create with any contacts.
No matter which option you chose with contact lenses, please always follow the manufacturers instructions to maintain the health of your eyes for years to come. Think of proper care and only using your lenses for the proper amount of time like putting on sunscreen- maintaining healthy skin today, equals younger fresher skin tomorrow. Sometimes it is hard to understand and remember that what is intended for use has a reason to help you NOT have problems in the future. You only get one set of eyes, make sure you are taking the love and care to them since they and you deserve it!
