What are Extended Wear Contact Lenses? Are They Safe?
If you are a regular contact lens wearer, you must know all about the tedious process of removing contact lenses, cleaning them and storing them every single night. What if there were contact lenses that you could leave in your eyes even while you slept? That's exactly what Extended Wear contact lenses are! Extended Wear lenses are a safe and convenient way to enhance your vision, but are they appropriate for every single individual?
By reading this article, you will be able to find out if extended wear contact lenses are the right option for you. You will also get our expert recommendations for the best extended wear contact lenses available for purchase in the UAE.
What Are the Differences Between Daily Wear and Extended Wear Contact Lenses?
Almost everyone is familiar with daily wear contact lenses, these are the most common and easily accessible form of contact lenses that are suitable for almost every individual. Known for their convenient daily disposable schedule and their suitability for those who are prone to allergies and irritation, these contacts are highly popular and recommended for new contact lens wearers.
On the other hand, extended wear contact lenses are often designed to be more durable and resistant to protein deposits and bacterial buildup, making them highly suitable for long-term wear. These lenses are usually perfectly suitable for up to 7 days of continuous wear. Some extended wear contact lenses can also be continuously used for a maximum of 30 days.
While the wear schedule might sound impressive, it is also important to keep in mind that not everyone will realistically be able to tolerate the lenses for the entire duration. Despite this, if you’re an individual with a busy schedule or you’d like to be able to see clearly as soon as you wake up, then these lenses might be for you.
Possible Risks Associated with Extended Wear Contacts
Wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time can lead to discomfort and increase the chances of eye infections, even if you wear the appropriate extended wear contact lenses. While extended wear contact lenses generally reduce the risk of undesirable side effects, here are some that can occur:
- Dry Eyes
- Redness
- Changes in Vision
- Eye Infections
When faced with any of these symptoms, we recommend that you immediately and carefully remove your contacts and contact your eye care provider.
Who Can Use Extended Wear Contact Lenses?
A good candidate for extended wear contact lenses is an individual who does not have any long-term eye health problems or isn’t prone to eye infections. Individuals who have a history of allergic reactions due to long term contact lens usage should also avoid extended wear contact lenses.
If you are an individual with a highly demanding work routine and struggle to find the time to adequately care for regular weekly or monthly contact lenses, then extended wear contact lenses may be a good option for you. If you are interested in trying out extended wear contact lenses, talk to your eye doctor and determine whether you are a good fit for these lenses.
Who Shouldn’t Use Extended Wear Contact Lenses?
The answer to this question really depends on the individual and their unique tolerance of extended wear contact lenses. However, there are some individuals who shouldn’t be wearing extended wear contacts:
- Those who suffer from eye infections or are prone to them
- Those who tend to have dry eyes
- Those who suffer from allergic reactions to protein deposits that could build up on the contacts
- Those who are using eye drops for certain eye conditions or taking other kinds of medication that can cause dryness, blurry vision or other symptoms that can make it difficult to wear extended wear contact lenses.
Our Recommendations for Extended Wear Contact Lenses
A good pair of extended wear contact lenses will offer a considerable amount of protection from the formation of protein deposits. They will also allow for optimal oxygen permeability and provide long-lasting moisture for continuous wear. Here are some of our favorite extended wear lenses:
Best 30-Day Extended Wear Contact Lenses:
The Air Optix Night and Day Aqua Contact Lenses are ideal for continuous wear, from day to night for up to 30 consecutive days.
Best 7-Day Extended Wear Contact Lenses
Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus are highly versatile contact lenses that can be worn either daily for up to two weeks or continuously for six nights/seven days. These lenses offer maximum comfort and moisture to keep your eyes comfortable.