Contact lenses have a specific number of days they’re meant to be worn for your safety. Let’s talk about how to keep your eyes healthy.
Imagine contact lenses as super-thin lenses resting right on your eye’s surface. They’re cooler for many folks than glasses, for a bunch of good reasons. Not only do they give you better vision than regular glasses, but they’re also super easy to pop in and handy while playing sports.
Teens and kids also love them since they boost their looks and confidence, helping them rock at sports. But, be gentle with them! There’s a tiny chance of getting eye troubles like infections, ulcers, or even blindness.
So, remember, stick to the number of days they’re made for. You’ll find contact lenses you toss away every day, every week, or every month. And hey, don’t overdo it—stick to 8-12 hours as the docs suggest!
Around the globe, more than 150 million individuals are using contact lenses. These lenses serve various purposes, such as correcting vision issues, enhancing eye color for cosmetic reasons, and even aiding in therapeutic situations like preventing corneal damage. Unlike regular eyeglasses, contact lenses offer improved peripheral vision, making them a popular choice among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Complications Associated with Contact Lenses
Using contact lenses comes with certain complications. However, if you use them correctly, they’re generally safe.
Roughly 5% of wearers encounter complications each year. These complications can range from eyelid issues to problems with the conjunctival surface and even the cornea.
The primary concern with contact lenses is inadequate lens care. If we don’t use and care for our lenses properly, they can become contaminated by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms like acanthamoeba.
These factors can lead to more serious eye problems, including corneal issues, the potential for vision loss, and difficulty tolerating contact lenses, as explained by Dr. Seth.
Tips to Avoid Complications While Using Contact Lenses
- Stick to your contact lens wearing schedule: Always follow the recommended schedule for wearing your contact lenses.
- Avoid sleeping with your contacts: Never sleep while wearing your contact lenses, as this can cause problems with your cornea.
- Don’t overuse your contacts: Most contact lenses are meant to be worn for around 8 hours a day. Some extended wear lenses can be used for up to 10-12 hours, but be cautious not to exceed the recommended usage time.
- Follow the recommended usage duration: Different contact lenses have specific usage durations, whether they’re daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Make sure to adhere to these schedules to prevent complications that could affect your cornea and vision.
Remember, taking proper care of your contact lenses is essential for maintaining clear vision and keeping your eyes healthy.
How Contact Lenses Contribute to Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome can develop when contact lenses are worn for extended periods, reducing the flow of oxygen to the cornea.
To prevent this, it’s essential to take breaks and allow your eyes to receive fresh oxygen. The cornea is a unique part of the body that draws oxygen directly from the air, which is why it remains transparent.
Normally, when we wear contact lenses for just a few hours a day, the cornea has time to recover by absorbing oxygen. However, complications arise when lenses are worn excessively, hindering the cornea’s oxygen supply.
Over time, this deficiency in oxygen can lead to issues such as reduced corneal transparency and dry eye syndrome. According to Dr. Seth, the key is to strike a balance to ensure proper oxygenation and prevent these complications.
Risk of eye infection due to contact lens
The more you wear contact lenses for extended periods, the higher the chance of developing an eye infection.
Bacteria, fungus, and tiny organisms can easily thrive on your cornea when you wear lenses for too long. This could lead to a corneal infection, which might even affect your cornea’s clear transparency.
This can result in redness, pain, irritation, and blurred vision in your eye. In some cases, it might cause permanent scarring on the cornea, leading to vision problems. It’s important to be cautious and give your eyes breaks from contact lens wear.
How to Address Long-Term Issues
Dealing with prolonged effects from excessive contact lens use is important. Using contact lenses for over 10 hours a day can lead to problems like thinner corneas and a change in their shape.
These issues usually arise in individuals who wear contact lenses for more than 5 years, especially if they’re using them for more than 8-9 hours a day. It’s a good idea to take breaks from wearing lenses to allow your corneas to rest, heal, and receive proper oxygenation.
By doing this, you can ensure the health of your corneas while continuing to enjoy the benefits of contact lenses. According to Dr. Seth, this simple step can help you prevent complications down the road.
