Are Extended Wear Contact Lenses Right for Me?
Contact lenses allow individuals to correct their vision without the need for glasses. The discreet, curved lenses lie on the surface of the eye.
The doctors of Monterey County Eye Associates, serving Salinas, CA, and Monterey, CA, offer various contact lens options, including extended wear contact lenses. In this blog post, we provide an overview of the benefits of extended wear contacts.
Benefits of Extended Wear Contacts
Extended wear contacts offer many benefits, including:
Convenience
One of the main benefits of extended wear contacts is convenience. The lenses allow you to wake up every day with clear vision.
Placing lenses in the eyes each day can take several minutes, and many people find the process uncomfortable or frustrating.
Unlike monthly wear lenses, there is no need to remove and clean the lenses each night. Users simply place their lenses once a week and dispose of them at the end of the week or when directed.
Nighttime Safety
For people with particularly bad vision, extended wear contacts can make waking at night safer. If you ever awaken unexpectedly at night, you’ll have the comfort of having great vision at all times.
Cost Savings
Depending on the type of lenses you choose, the overall cost of extended wear lenses may be less than disposable lenses.
Risks Associated with Extended Wear Contacts
Any type of contact lens is associated with the risk of infection or other problems when the lenses are not cleaned or handled properly. To lower your risk of complications, take steps to:
- Report lingering eye irritation or redness to our doctor
- Remove contacts before swimming
- Wash your hands before handling your lenses
- Avoid smoke or hazardous air conditions
- Never wear lenses longer than advised
Types of Contact Lenses
Following your eye exam and contact lens fitting, you will have three lens options to choose from.
Daily Wear Lenses
Daily wear lenses, sometimes called disposable lenses, are placed in the morning and disposed of at night. Disposable lenses tend to be thicker and less able to allow oxygen to pass through. The permeability of a lens determines how well it allows the eye to breathe.
Extended Wear Lenses
Extended wear lenses can be worn overnight for one week or longer. Extended wear lenses are thinner than daily wear options. The contacts are often made from silicone hydrogel, which is softer and more permeable than materials used for disposable contacts.
Monthly Disposable Lenses
Monthly disposable lenses are a type of lens that can be worn for one to three months, but the lenses must be removed nightly and placed in a cleaning liquid each night to remove buildup.
Schedule Your Extended Wear Contacts Consultation Today
Extended wear contacts offer the benefit of continuous good vision without the need for placing new lenses every day. While some patients can safely use extended wear lenses overnight, some individuals may benefit from removing and sterilizing lenses nightly.
To schedule your contact lens fitting, please contact our office online or call (831) 375-2020.
