How Long Can Daily Contacs Be Worn?

3scompany · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 10:57 AM

I'm considering some daily contact lenses, but I have a rather basic question. How long is a "day"? Would that be eight hours? Twelve? I suppose that would vary from person to person, so maybe there are some people reading this that can tell me their own experiences. What's the longest you've gone with your daily contacts in? Have you ever worn them so long that you just couldn't stand them any more? I appreciate your sharing.

nicholas · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2007, 12:30 AM

I primarily wear RGPs for 16-20 hours per day but every now and then wear my Focus Dailies...and I wear those for the same amount of time. I would say they are safe to wear however long your "day" is; just don't sleep in them. My eyes feel more fatigued as the day goes on with Dailies (or any soft lens) compared to my Boston ES RGPs, which stay comfortable all day.

ken7700 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 10:13 PM

I would say this would be an individual thing. I do not think it would hurt to wear them all day, but it could effect different people different ways.

Railfan · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholas

I primarily wear RGPs for 16-20 hours per day but every now and then wear my Focus Dailies...and I wear those for the same amount of time. I would say they are safe to wear however long your "day" is; just don't sleep in them. My eyes feel more fatigued as the day goes on with Dailies (or any soft lens) compared to my Boston ES RGPs, which stay comfortable all day.

Sounds like your contacts will tell you when they've had enough and are ready to "call it a day."

I also agree with Nicholas' statement that you should not sleep in daily disposables.

pheinbaugh2 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 07:23 AM

i sometimes wore mine for 2 or 3 days.

ebonyeyez · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 04:55 PM

i wear them until its time to go to bed maybe 12 hours at most.

laninoso · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:58 AM

I'm wondering, I would like to purchase the Acuvue (Toric) Advantage disposable lenses -- usually after 2 weeks you are to through them away and use a new pair -- 1st how many come in a box per eye and 2nd can you get away with wearing them longer than 2 weeks?

madeinshades · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laninoso

I'm wondering, I would like to purchase the Acuvue (Toric) Advantage disposable lenses -- usually after 2 weeks you are to through them away and use a new pair -- 1st how many come in a box per eye and 2nd can you get away with wearing them longer than 2 weeks?

Hello laninoso. Welcome to Lens 101!

I checked lens.com and contactsamerica.com, but I couldn't find "Acuvue Toric Advantage." There's an Acuvue Advance, and an Acuvue Toric, but that was the closest I could find. The Acuvue Toric was being discontinued anyway. Most of the two week contacts come with 6 or 12 in a box.

And about wearing them more than two weeks--don't. You should never wear contacts for longer than they are designed to be worn, unless you don't wear them every day.
When they say "two weeks" that means you can wear them seven times if you sleep in them, fourteen times if you don't. So if you want them to last a little longer, skip a day now and then and wear your glasses. Bottom line, if you want your contacts to last a little longer, wear them less, not more.

I hope that helps!

laninoso · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 09:44 AM

That is what it is Advance! Thanks for the info..... I've always wondered if, even if you take extremely good care of your contacts, could you wear them longer -- but, still it matters on how the "contact" was designed. It is good info because really, I like to try to make them last for as long as I can but, I don't want to gamble with my eyes. I want to check into the Acuvue Advance and purchase them. Where could I find the most cost efficient for a box per eye?

madeinshades · #10 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laninoso

I want to check into the Acuvue Advance and purchase them. Where could I find the most cost efficient for a box per eye?

Well, one of the things I really like about Lens 101 is that people feel like they can ask for advice without someone trying to sell them something.

I hesitate to advertise for contact lens companies, but since you asked directly, Lens 101 is sponsored by lens.com, so just go ahead and click on the red button near the top of the page and see what you think. I've heard some good things about them, so I don't think they'll let you down.

Be sure to let us know how you like the Acuvue Advance, okay?

Ricardo · #11 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 11:03 AM

I work with people who wear them as long as 14 hours or more.

I'm not sure if they use eyedrops or some solution at lunch time or not.

3scompany · #12 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken7700

I would say this would be an individual thing. I do not think it would hurt to wear them all day, but it could effect different people different ways.

Thanks for the non-answer, Ken.

Boomika · #13 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonyeyez

i wear them until its time to go to bed maybe 12 hours at most.

i will wore lens for 6-8hours...according to my college timings

skumar · #14 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken7700

I would say this would be an individual thing. I do not think it would hurt to wear them all day, but it could effect different people different ways.

Daily wear contact lenses have pros and cons just like everything else:

1. These contact lenses known as soft lenses or daily wear lenses allow oxygen to pass through and reach the cornea, so they provide great comfort.

2. They are light and made of materials that do not irritate the eyes.

3. They are available in a great variety of colors.

4. Since they are thrown away each day of within 2-4 weeks the problems arising from incorrect storage or insufficient sterilization do not occur.

5. Protein or lipid deposits do not occur as also fungal or bacterial growth. Since lenses are replaced either daily or frequently the eyes will be protected from allergies too.

6. Sadly they are not durable.

7. Can only be used to correct a few eye sight problems.

8. They are comparatively more expensive than long lasting contact lenses.

Beny · #15 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

I work with people who wear them as long as 14 hours or more.

I'm not sure if they use eyedrops or some solution at lunch time or not.

what happens if we wore lens more than 10 hours?

Rock · #16 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beny

what happens if we wore lens more than 10 hours?

Nothing happens ... you will feel some disturbance when you see...

Slitheen · #17 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beny

what happens if we wore lens more than 10 hours?

Yes, I think Rock is right. If you try to wear your daily contacts for more than 10 hours they will probably get pretty uncomfortable before then. You will likely take them out before they're in that long, just don't take that as a challenge. Take care of your eyes.

MillersLastChance · #18 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholas

I primarily wear RGPs for 16-20 hours per day but every now and then wear my Focus Dailies...and I wear those for the same amount of time.

You wear your contacts for up to 20 hours? When do you sleep?

madeinshades · #19 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laninoso

That is what it is Advance! Thanks for the info..... I've always wondered if, even if you take extremely good care of your contacts, could you wear them longer -- but, still it matters on how the "contact" was designed. It is good info because really, I like to try to make them last for as long as I can but, I don't want to gamble with my eyes. I want to check into the Acuvue Advance and purchase them. Where could I find the most cost efficient for a box per eye?

How's it going laninoso? Have you bought any Acuvue Advance contact lenses yet?

3scompany · #20 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skumar

Daily wear contact lenses have pros and cons just like everything else:

1. These contact lenses known as soft lenses or daily wear lenses allow oxygen to pass through and reach the cornea, so they provide great comfort.

2. They are light and made of materials that do not irritate the eyes.

3. They are available in a great variety of colors.

4. Since they are thrown away each day of within 2-4 weeks the problems arising from incorrect storage or insufficient sterilization do not occur.

5. Protein or lipid deposits do not occur as also fungal or bacterial growth. Since lenses are replaced either daily or frequently the eyes will be protected from allergies too.

6. Sadly they are not durable.

7. Can only be used to correct a few eye sight problems.

8. They are comparatively more expensive than long lasting contact lenses.

Thanks for that nice, neat list skumar. Lists make explaining things so much easier sometimes.

Knotlob · #21 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beny

what happens if we wore lens more than 10 hours?

I have worn Daily Disposable lenses for a couple of months and could wear them the whole of my waking day without any serious discomfort or having to use eye drops, etc. But most of my life I wore yearly Soft Lenses and have recently been wearing Biofinity lenses.

Having said that, at present Daily Disposable lenses tend to be made of the standard hydrogel material, which is less (oxygen) breathable than the latest generation Silicone Hydrogel lenses. So, wearing standard Daily Lenses for 14-18 hours/day (as I may have done on occasions) is usually not a good idea in regard to oxygen flow to the eyes.

You need to be guided by your Eye Care Professional, who will check to see if you have any increase in the capillaries growing into the whites of your eye (neovascularisation). If this is increasing, then you would need to reduce the contact lens wearing time or switch to a silicone hydrogel lens with better oxygen permeability.

I expect that in time, silicone hydrogel materials will become readily available in many Daily Disposable lenses.

knotlob

Droopy · #22 (**permalink**) 01-26-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I have worn Daily Disposable lenses for a couple of months and could wear them the whole of my waking day without any serious discomfort or having to use eye drops, etc. But most of my life I wore yearly Soft Lenses and have recently been wearing Biofinity lenses.

Having said that, at present Daily Disposable lenses tend to be made of the standard hydrogel material, which is less (oxygen) breathable than the latest generation Silicone Hydrogel lenses. So, wearing standard Daily Lenses for 14-18 hours/day (as I may have done on occasions) is usually not a good idea in regard to oxygen flow to the eyes.

You need to be guided by your Eye Care Professional, who will check to see if you have any increase in the capillaries growing into the whites of your eye (neovascularisation). If this is increasing, then you would need to reduce the contact lens wearing time or switch to a silicone hydrogel lens with better oxygen permeability.

I expect that in time, silicone hydrogel materials will become readily available in many Daily Disposable lenses.

knotlob

Nice answer, Knotlob. I don't know about you, but I'm really nervous about people misunderstanding something they read on Lens 101 and doing harm to their eyes.

I like to make it clear that readers have to be very careful. I think you've done that. Thank you.

Slitheen · #23 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droopy

Nice answer, Knotlob. I don't know about you, but I'm really nervous about people misunderstanding something they read on Lens 101 and doing harm to their eyes.

Woah! How long has he had his contacts in?

Knotlob · #24 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droopy

Nice answer, Knotlob. I don't know about you, but I'm really nervous about people misunderstanding something they read on Lens 101 and doing harm to their eyes.

I like to make it clear that readers have to be very careful. I think you've done that. Thank you.

Yeah, people here have reminded me before to be aware of careless people misinterpreting things - so now I try to make it crystal clear

knotlob

VAB · #25 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yeah, people here have reminded me before to be aware of careless people misinterpreting things - so now I try to make it crystal clear

knotlob

That's a good idea. It's especially easy to be misunderstood in a situation like this when people can't hear the inflections in your voice and read your body language. You've got to be, as you said, crystal clear.

Then there's also those pesky grammar rules. Should I have put your words in quotation marks? Hmm . . . .

3scompany · #26 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAB

Then there's also those pesky grammar rules. Should I have put your words in quotation marks? Hmm . . . .

Probably, VAB. You should have put "crystal clear" in quotation marks, as I just did.

lurker2010 · #27 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:53 PM

J&J has a one day Silicone Hydrogel lens. J&J plans on releasing the lens (in the US) some time in 2010. It's called Acuvue TruEye.

A day is defined as the time you're awake. You don't blink when you sleep. Some people may not be able to wear their lenses for a full day, or may need drops.

Don't wear your lenses for longer then recommended by your eye professional. Take them out sooner if you're not comforatable.

Hottchick · #28 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

J&J has a one day Silicone Hydrogel lens. J&J plans on releasing the lens (in the US) some time in 2010. It's called Acuvue TruEye.

A day is defined as the time you're awake. You don't blink when you sleep. Some people may not be able to wear their lenses for a full day, or may need drops.

Don't wear your lenses for longer then recommended by your eye professional. Take them out sooner if you're not comfortable.

Good post Lurker. I like your definition of a day. For the purposes of daily disposable contact lenses, I think that's a good one.

Your advice about taking out a troublesome contact lens sooner rather than later is also good. I agree. Thanks.

Knotlob · #29 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

J&J has a one day Silicone Hydrogel lens. J&J plans on releasing the lens (in the US) some time in 2010. It's called Acuvue TruEye.

A day is defined as the time you're awake. You don't blink when you sleep. Some people may not be able to wear their lenses for a full day, or may need drops.

Don't wear your lenses for longer then recommended by your eye professional. Take them out sooner if you're not comforatable.

J&J have some very high Dk silicone hydrogel lenses so it is surprising that they don't allow 24h wearing on the condition that the lens is binned after this time. For most people there are going to be obvious benefits of improved oxygen flow to the eye combined with the benefits of daily lenses for those who need them.

The 24h wearing would be useful for people on call or who have a complex work/sleep pattern. But as you point out, the eye care specialist would be the person to advise how long the lenses could be worn.

Any info on prices, since the silicone hydrogel lenses tend to carry a price premium?

knotlob

lurker2010 · #30 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Any info on prices, since the silicone hydrogel lenses tend to carry a price premium?

knotlob

The product was launched:
UK and Ireland September 2008
Germany April 2009
France, Denmark, and Sweden July 2009

You can check the pricing. I'm not sure which European sites I should be checking.

Knotlob · #31 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The product was launched:
UK and Ireland September 2008
Germany April 2009
France, Denmark, and Sweden July 2009

You can check the pricing. I'm not sure which European sites I should be checking.

Thanks for that. I've never heard of these and my last optician didn't mention them - only Acuvue Moist (Daily) .

They don't seem to be offered by all UK websites yet but they are readily available. Price is about 32% higher than Acuvue Moist (Daily) lenses on one website I checked.

knotlob

MillersLastChance · #32 (**permalink**) 02-24-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laninoso

That is what it is Advance! Thanks for the info..... I've always wondered if, even if you take extremely good care of your contacts, could you wear them longer -- but, still it matters on how the "contact" was designed. It is good info because really, I like to try to make them last for as long as I can but, I don't want to gamble with my eyes.

That's a very good point Laninoso. Saving money is a good thing, but not if you risk your eyesight. I'd hate to have a fat wallet but thick glasses, you know what I mean?