Extended Wear Contact Lenses: Benefits, Risks, and Care

The advent of silicone hydrogel and other technological inventions has helped extend how long you can wear some selected contact lenses. This improvement now allows you to wear your contact lenses for longer than soft contact lenses. Extended wear contact lenses are sets of contact lenses that you wear for seven days and above. You can wear the hydrogel lenses for up to 30 days. This is because the hydrogel lenses allow a large amount of oxygen through the lens to reach your eyes. This article will further discuss the types of extended wear contact lenses, their benefits, how to choose the right one, care and maintenance, potential risks, and how to mitigate them.

What is Extended Wear Contact Lense?

Extended wear contacts are contacts designed for long wear or long-term use. They can be worn during the day and also during bedtime at night. They can be worn continuously, ranging from six nights or up to 30 days. You can replace them on a schedule suggested by your doctor. They are made with silicone hydrogel lenses (soft plastics), which allow oxygen through the lens to your cornea. There are now also extended wear contacts that can be worn for up to 30 days.

Convenience

People choose extended contact lenses because of the convenience they offer because they close the gap between convenience and necessity. Extended contact lenses are rarely removed; they don’t need frequent adjustments and are a better option if you rarely have time to remove or clean your lenses for hobbies, jobs, etc. They are also a perfect fit for you when you are having a multitasking day or have a demanding lifestyle or career that requires long hours.

Breathability

Extended contact lenses are made of thin silicone hydrogel, which offers high breathability and wettability to the eyes. This material allows more oxygen to pass across the lenses to your cornea. They can be worn continuously for an extended period of time. Because of their breathability, they reduce the risk of corneal hypoxia; they also minimize eye defects such as corneal swelling, dry eyes, etc. They are also more resistant to protein deposits and easier to handle than regular soft hydrogel lenses.

Vision Correction

Extended contact lenses are used for vision correction for individuals with binocular vision abnormalities. Binocular vision conditions such as amblyopia are best handled with continuous vision correction. Also, individuals with high refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism) find extended contact lenses helpful for clearer vision always, especially unexpected wakeup times at night.

Eye Health

The use of extended contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections if the lenses are not well taken care of. Eye infection is higher among individuals that use contacts during bedtime. Wearing contact lenses all day poses the risk of infection because bacteria and other microorganisms that are dangerous can stick to the lenses and get trapped between the eyes and lenses. These microorganisms do well in wet and warm environments under your contact, mostly during sleep times when your eyelids are closed. Wearing extended contacts often increases the risk of eye irritations, Acanthamoeba keratitis, and even fungal eye infections significantly. To reduce or prevent these problems, strict and proper eye care hygiene must be ensured.

Experts from CDC have this to say about  contact lenses wear time and your eye health:

Do you wear contact lenses? Wearing contacts while sleeping—whether unintentionally or occasionally—can increase the risk of serious eye infections 6 to 8 times. Learn more: https://t.co/UjO1nwfnAp. pic.twitter.com/C1TDnQu8kt

— CDC (@CDCgov) August 16, 2018

Lane went further to say:

While extended-wear contact lenses are more practical, keeping them in can lead to eye complications. https://t.co/4ct8nBDYK9

— Thompson Lane Eye (@eye_lane) January 9, 2019

Durability

Extended contact lenses are designed to be durable compared to the other types of contact lenses. They are made to withstand wear and tear. However, they need cleaning and proper maintenance since they are worn all day and all night without removing them. Due to their durability, they can be worn up to 7 days or even 30 days. To extend the durability of your extended contact wear, you can keep the lenses away from scratches. While they are more durable than other regular contact lenses, they still break down over time due to their extended usage.

Materials

Extended contact lenses are made with silicone hydrogel lenses that are oxygen permeable. They are flexible for comfort and are soft plastic. These materials allow oxygen through the lens to your eyes. They are also moist and breathable.

Affordability

The cost of extended-wear lenses is in various cost ranges. Some factors determine the cost of these lenses. Understanding these factors will guide you to make better and more informed decisions when choosing the right lenses for your needs and budget. They are cost-effective for individuals that prefer continuous use. Some factors that affect the cost of extended contact lenses include:

• Strength of the prescription.
• Manufacturer and brand
• Lens Material
• Quantity of product
• Promotions and discounts
• Customization and Special Features

Lens.com says that “soft extended wear contact lenses retail cost for $30 to $50 per box of six lenses, with each box lasting six months. If you replace your contacts every month, expect an annual lens cost of $120 to $200. The actual figure may be lower or higher depending on how often you replace your contacts.”.

Maintenance

Extended contact lenses need frequent cleaning. Always use the recommended disinfecting contact lens solution, eye drops, and enzymatic cleaners suggested by eye care professionals.  These contact lenses can be worn for up to 7 to 30 days, but they require cleaning several times a month to help reduce the high risk of eye infection or discomfort linked to using these lenses. The recommended cleaning should be at least once in 7 days.

Dr. Katerina Kurteeva, MD (@california_eye_associates) has this to say about general contact lens mentainace:

 

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A post shared by Katerina Kurteeva, MD (@california_eye_associates)

Comparison of Extended Wear lenses and Daily Contact Wear lenses

Extended wear lenses are designed to allow oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea. While wearing daily wear contact lenses, they don’t allow as much oxygen to reach the cornea.

Extended wear contact lenses are made to be used multiple times or days before they are cleaned. On the other hand, daily contact lenses are designed to be worn for a single day and then discarded, reducing the need for cleaning and disinfecting.

Extended wear lenses are more suitable for those with a more sedentary and extremely busy lifestyle who don’t mind rare lens removal and cleaning. Daily lenses may be more convenient for individuals who want clean and fresh lenses every day.

Extended wear lenses may be more suitable for people with healthy eyes, while on the other hand, daily lenses can be a better option for individuals with sensitive eyes or a history of eye infections, as they reduce the risk of bacterial buildup.

Both extended and daily wear lenses are made to offer clear and comfortable vision, but individual choices and eye specialty may influence the overall comfort and visual experience. Daily lenses cost more at the point of purchase, but they need less maintenance. Extended wear lenses cost lower initially but require regular cleaning and disinfection, which can add to the ongoing expenses.

Comparison of Extended Wear lenses and Traditional Contact Wear Lenses

The key comparison between traditional wear contact and extended wear contact is that traditional wear contacts are made up of soft plastic polymers and water that allow oxygen to pass through the lens material to the cornea. But extended wear contacts are only made with silicone hydrogel materials that also allow oxygen through the lens to the cornea.

Traditional wear contacts are worn daily, but extended wear contacts are worn for 7 days up to a month.

Traditional wear contact lenses are removed and cleaned during bedtime and cannot be worn when sleeping. On the other hand, extended wear contacts can be cleaned at least once in 7 days and can be worn during sleep time.

Traditional wear contacts are made with different materials of hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, but extended wear contacts are made with an advanced material of silicone hydrogel.

Traditional wear contacts have a lower risk of causing eye infection, unlike extended contacts that can lead to a higher risk of infection.

Lifestyle Compatibility

Making the right choice for your contact lenses depends on your lifestyle, which involves different factors such as daily activities, eye health needs, personal preferences, etc. Choosing your contact lenses is not only for vision correction but also for finding lenses that easily fit into your daily activities, work life, hobbies, etc.

Extended wear contact is better for individuals with long working hours or busy schedules, hikers, pilots, etc. People also wear them overnight, enjoying comfort and flexibility.

Regulations and Safety

The use of extended wear contacts requires devotedness to the health of your eye. For the safety of your eye health, eye care professionals recommend regular check-ups to detect any underlying eye problems early. It also helps to keep your eyes healthy and lenses suitable for your needs.

Your contact lenses need proper hygiene continuously, especially when you remove them. It is important to clean and disinfect them thoroughly with the recommended solution from your eye care professional. Doing so makes them safe to use. Taking care of your contacts also prolongs the lifespan.

Eye care professionals recommend wearing extended-wear contact lenses for 7 to 30 days and advise against exceeding the recommended usage. Using your lenses more than the recommended days exposes you to the high risk of infection associated with wearing the contacts.

Always adhere to the instructions of your eye care professional and report any issues noticed to avoid them escalating.

Wearing extended wear contacts exposes you to a higher risk of eye infection. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states in an article that “people who wear extended contacts face 10 to 15 times higher risk of infection than those who use regular daily contacts.“

The moist and warm environment of the eye allows bacteria to stick between the lenses and the eye surface. Bacterial keratitis is a severe eye condition associated with an infection that can lead to loss of vision if left untreated on time. Infections can also erode the outer layers of the eyes.

Extended wear contacts can also prevent oxygen and tears needed by the eye from reaching some delicate tissues of the eyes.

Other risks associated with wearing extended wear contacts include:

• Redness
• Eye discomfort.
• Teary eyes
• Vision changes.

Always see or call your eye doctor when you notice these issues.

Who Should Use Them?

Extended wear contacts are suitable for those with a highly active lifestyle and busy schedule or who need continuous eye correction. People with healthy eyes can wear it, but it should be avoided by those with dry eyes or prone to infection.

Individuals with mild nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can always use this lens. It can also be used by those who do not want daily maintenance and can take proper care of their lenses to prevent eye infections.

Manufacturer Recommendation

To get the best expiration of using extended wear contacts, you have to adhere to the instructions of the manufacturer. Some guidelines include:

• Keep to the replacement schedule recommended by your eye care professional or manufacturer of the contacts.
• Check your eyes regularly for signs of infections and discomfort, and report to your eye doctor.
• Have regular checkups to ensure your eyes are in good health.

Innovation in Design

These sets of lenses are made with highly advanced materials to provide convenience. They are made with highly breathable materials; they allow more oxygen to reach the cornea, thereby reducing the risk of eye infections and dryness associated with using contacts.

They are made to be beneficial for individuals with busy lifestyles or those who find daily lens maintenance hectic. The innovation in the design can provide better and clearer vision all day and all night.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses Overview

Manufacturers design extended wear contact lenses for long-term use, ranging from 7 to 30 days depending on their type. They’re made of thin, breathable silicone hydrogel (soft plastic), a material that allows more oxygen to pass through the lenses to your cornea and can be used all day, including bedtime.

They require hygiene and proper maintenance. They can be used to correct some vision corrections, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.