Leaving contacts in...

[AdamSnow]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any dangers of leaving contact lenses in for extended periods of time.

I have just regular Acuvue 2 contacts, and they are supposed to be taken out each night, soaked, and put back
on the following morning. I have recently been leaving them in for a few days at a time (week maybe) and havent
noticed anything bad, nothing hurts, its actually been more comfortable then when I used to change them every
night. Just wondering if there is any danger in this, if I should stop, or if it even matters...

Anyone else do this ? Are those ones that are designed to be left in for extended periods of time any different
than the ones I have now ?

 

[Viper GTS]

Don't be an idiot, your sight is too precious to be lazy with

Few pieces of additional info for you:

- Corneas do not have a blood supply, they absorb their oxygen from the air
- Contact lenses prevent proper oxygen supply from reaching your cornea
- If your cornea gets desperate it will start growing a blood supply Link

Soft contact lenses aren't very good for your eyes.

Viper GTS

 

[Ikonomi]

The dangers include eye infection and scratched cornea.

Neither of those stop me from wearing my non-extended-wear contacts for long stretches, though. I'm irresponsible.

 

[MrBond]

The ones that are designed for long-term use are more gas-permable. Contacts stop your eyes from getting the right amount of oxygen they need, so you need to take them out at night.

You can have serious eye problems by leaving regular contacts in for a long period of time. My roomate got a nasty eye infection from leaving his in for a while, he had to not wear them for a couple of weeks.

Is it really that hard to take them out every night? You do only get one pair of eyes, after all.

 

[Modeps]

Take 'em out.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: MrBond
The ones that are designed for long-term use are more gas-permable. Contacts stop your eyes from getting the right amount of oxygen they need, so you need to take them out at night.

You can have serious eye problems by leaving regular contacts in for a long period of time. My roomate got a nasty eye infection from leaving his in for a while, he had to not wear them for a couple of weeks.

Is it really that hard to take them out every night? You do only get one pair of eyes, after all.

Long term use lenses are typically RGP's, rigid gas permeables - They pass oxygen MUCH better than soft lenses.

Viper GTS

 

[mandala]

The ones designed to be left in for longer periods of time are made from thinner plastic so that your eye can "breathe" better. And yes, leaving contacts in longer than they're designed to be left in can result in scratches and eye infections (which could lead to blindness).

If you want to leave your lenses in for a long time, buy the ones that are made for extended-wear.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I notice I get more tired with contacts in. Take them out and I'm refreshed, kinda

But for the dangers above, I always take them out.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
The dangers include eye infection and scratched cornea.

Neither of those stop me from wearing my non-extended-wear contacts for long stretches, though. I'm irresponsible.

Same here, I wear my daily wear contacts monthes at a time. My eyes don't ever bother me. First hint of trouble though and I'll take them out, but that has yet to happen for the past 7+ years.

KK

 

[Mayfriday0529]

You should always refresh the contacts with fluid or even clean them for a little bit even if the company states you can leave them on and on for long periods of time read there fine print, germs and bacteria get on them.

I actually got a Ulcer in my right eye from a contact and just for wearing for about 14 hours a day it didnt get clean enough and my eye turn completely red and had to put creams and special drops until it went away and then was not allowed to wear contacts for about 2 months.

 

[nativesunshine]

I never wear mine for more than one whole day...

like..all yesterday and last night...til this morning.

i came back and took out my contacts right away. My eyes were hurting and so uncomfortable.

one of my roommates once told me that she'd leave hers in for weeks at a time....she's so dumb. :|

 

[loup garou]

They make contacts that you can sleep in, but they're expensive, and I still wouldn't trust them.
I used to wear my disposables for days at a time without taking them out.
One trip to the optometrist a couple years ago, he said blood vessels were starting to grow through my cornea.
Since then, I take them out every night and don't wear them on the weekends except when going to the gym or going out.
The convenience is not worth the risk of losing my vision.

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
The dangers include eye infection and scratched cornea.

Neither of those stop me from wearing my non-extended-wear contacts for long stretches, though. I'm irresponsible.

Same here, I wear my daily wear contacts monthes at a time. My eyes don't ever bother me. First hint of trouble though and I'll take them out, but that has yet to happen for the past 7+ years.

KK

If my eyes get irritated, I take my lenses out, as well. I use those Blink 'n Clean eye drops to moisturize my eyes, if they get dry from tiredness (or when getting up in the morning).

Still, though, it's not something I'd necessarily recommend to other people. I've had one eye infection, but it cleared up in a couple days with antibiotic drops. I guess it could have been much more serious. On the bright side, I got that awesome fluorescent fluid put in my eye to check for scratches. That stuff is so cool. It dyes your snot bright yellow.

 

[AdamSnow]

No, Its not that hard to take them out. I just hate waking up in the morning and not being able to
see 5 feet in front of me. Plus, putting them in; in the morning really sucks cause the solution is cold
and it stings my eyes because they're warm and the solution is cold. so I avoid that by leaving them in.

I think I might start taking them out to be safe. I saw Viper GTS say something about this a few days
ago, thats why I asked.

Thanks for the advice guys. Really appriciated.