Contacts are amazingly convenient in many ways — they’re virtually invisible, comfortable, and can give you perfect eyesight — but most are daily wear, which means they must be removed each night before sleep and then cleaned and stored. But what if you’re tired of putting your contacts in each morning and taking them out each night? Is there a product that allows you to safely sleep in your contacts? We’re pleased to say that the answer is yes! The question you need to be asking is, “What are extended-wear contacts?”
What Are Extended-Wear Contacts?
Extended-wear contacts are soft contact lenses that can be worn all day and all night. Different types of extended-wear contacts are available, and depending on the product you’re prescribed by your eye doctor, you will need to take out and clean your contacts either once a week, once a month, or somewhere in between.
What are extended-wear contacts made of?
Most extended-wear contacts are constructed from soft plastics, typically silicone hydrogel, which retains moisture better than daily-wear contacts. The material is flexible and allows more oxygen to reach the eye, making it safe to wear the contacts overnight. Oxygen permeability is crucial. In addition, there are a few rigid gas-permeable lenses designed and approved by the FDA for overnight wear.
Why do extended-wear contacts need to be removed at all?
Removing your contacts every week or every month (depending on the product you’re prescribed) will give your eyes a chance to rest. It also reduces your risk of corneal infection.
Note that you shouldn’t just remove your lenses, clean them, and pop them back in. It’s important that you sleep without your lenses in for at least one night after each scheduled removal.
And with all contact lenses, it’s absolutely essential that you follow your prescription. How long you can wear your lenses continuously depends on both the lens product and your eye care professional’s expert evaluation of your eyes. Some people’s eyes don’t tolerate overnight contact wear well.
Who might be interested in extended-wear contacts?
All sorts of people find extended-wear contacts beneficial. They’re an especially popular pick for the following:
- People who suffer from exceptionally poor vision. If you have especially bad vision due to refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), you may prefer a vision solution that allows you to see clearly at all times. It limits the amount of time that you must go without corrected vision.
- People with highly active lifestyles and unpredictable schedules. If you’re often in places where you aren’t able to properly clean your contacts each night (perhaps you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a world traveler), you may find extended-wear contacts very helpful. They’re also a good fit for shift workers and some military personnel, whose schedules vary from day to day.
- People with binocular vision abnormalities. Binocular vision refers to having two eyes with which to see, and well-functioning binocular vision requires the eyes to work together. If you have trouble with binocular vision (for example, if you have amblyopia), continuously wearing your contacts may be advantageous.
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What are extended-wear contacts? They’re a convenient option for contact lens wearers, allowing them to safely sleep in their contacts. To learn if they make sense for your vision needs, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an eye care professional.
If you live near southwest Missouri, contact Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an email to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!