can these stay in longer?

faithib · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 01:54 PM

I have a friend who wears these longer than one day to save money.
Is that safe?
I know what the manufacturer says but has anyone else done this?

twocents · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 03:39 PM

I have a classmate who gets them to last a week and a half and hen changes them. I asked him why he didnt just buy the two week ones, and apparently they arent available at his eye doctor with is insurance. I can understand that because I am trying to get a different brand and was told no.
I dont think it is necessarily dangerour, but I dont think they hold up as well.

Purpleiris · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 11:14 AM

There are numerous threads on this site about this subject, and I hope you've found them by now. If not, allow me to summarize.

contact lenses are called daily, weekly, monthly, etc. for a reason. Putting an artificial lens on your eyes carries risks even if you follow the instructions to the letter. If you keep them in too long, damage will occur.

Now, I'm not saying you'll go blind if you wear your daily disposable contacts for two days, but it's still a risk. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but if you can't wear contact lenses they way they are intended to be worn, maybe you should wear glasses. I can't think of any good reason you should risk your vision by wearing your contact lenses too long. If you can't play by the rules, don't play.

Do you chew your food and then spit it out into a container and save it for later so you won't have to buy as much food? Do you take your prescription medication every other day instead of every day as directed so you can save money? Do you wash paper plates and use them three or four times before you finally throw them away?

I hope not, because that would just be stupid. Don't be so cheap.

gamblinglord · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 08:07 PM

That is a very informative post, Purpleiris. I even thought that it would be fine to extend the use of a daily disposable contact lens. Now I can say that things are cleared. Aside from the span of time, what could be the difference between a daily contact lens to a weekly contact lens in terms of quality?

Vita_man · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblinglord

Aside from the span of time, what could be the difference between a daily contact lens to a weekly contact lens in terms of quality?

I'm glad you're getting some good information here, gamblinglord.

As mentioned in a few places on this forum, you might want to think of a weekly contact lens like a glass plate. Maybe not fine china, exactly, but your typical glass plate. Now think of the daily disposable contact lenses like paper plates. There's nothing wrong with paper plates if you just want to keep food off your table. You use them once, throw them away, and buy more. They're cheap and simple.
If you want to spend a little more money on something that will last longer, you go buy some glass plates, use them, wash them and use them again.

Does that help?

Purpleiris · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblinglord

That is a very informative post, Purpleiris. I even thought that it would be fine to extend the use of a daily disposable contact lens. Now I can say that things are cleared. Aside from the span of time, what could be the difference between a daily contact lens to a weekly contact lens in terms of quality?

I'm glad I could clear things up for you, and it looks like vita_man has already answered your question about daily versus weekly contacts. Is there anything else we can do for you?

kyles414 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 01:16 AM

That was very simple and I truly understand it better now, Vita_man. I think I would go for the weekly rather than the daily disposable contact lens. How about the monthly disposable? How does it differ from the weekly lenses? Would it be the same with your plate example?

Vita_man · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyles414

That was very simple and I truly understand it better now, Vita_man. I think I would go for the weekly rather than the daily disposable contact lens. How about the monthly disposable? How does it differ from the weekly lenses? Would it be the same with your plate example?

I'm glad my illustration was helpful to you.

I'm not exactly sure how to take my plate analogy to the next level, except maybe to say that weekly contacts are plastic plates while monthly contacts are more like china. Does that help?

Purpleiris · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vita_man

I'm glad my illustration was helpful to you.

I'm not exactly sure how to take my plate analogy to the next level, except maybe to say that weekly contacts are plastic plates while monthly contacts are more like china. Does that help?

Thanks for the explanation, Vita_Man. I suppose you could explain the different type of contact lenses that way. You might also want to explain it in terms of suntan lotion. Some kinds have a low SPF for short sunbathing stints, while others have a higher SPF so you can stay on the beach longer.

Vita_man · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpleiris

Thanks for the explanation, Vita_Man. I suppose you could explain the different type of contact lenses that way. You might also want to explain it in terms of suntan lotion. Some kinds have a low SPF for short sunbathing stints, while others have a higher SPF so you can stay on the beach longer.

Yeah, that SPF thing kind of helps, but I like the plate analogy better.

lurker2010 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 07:26 AM

The plate analogy is bogus. The lenses are made of the same material. They're all "paper plates".

People should check with their eye professional. Some daily lenses have been approved by the FDA for planned replacement wear.

This is from the FDAs website. I'm not going to identify the lens. It's a daily lens sold by lens.com How long you can use any lens depends on the lens, the way you clean the lens and your body.

Quote:

FREQUENT/PLANNED REPLACEMENT WEAR
When prescribed for Frequent/Planned replacement the lenses are to be cleaned, rinsed and
disinfected each time they are removed from the patient's eye and discarded after the recommended
wearing period prescribed by the eye care practitioner. The lens may be disinfected using a
chemical disinfection system.
DISPOSABLE WEAR
When prescribed for Daily Disposable Wear the lens is to be discarded after each removal.

There are companies that still market the exact same lens (or substantially the exact same lens) as both a 2 week lens and monthly lens. At one time companies marketed the same lens as an annual (vial) lens and quarterly.

LittleElvis · #12 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The plate analogy is bogus. The lenses are made of the same material. They're all "paper plates".

People should check with their eye professional. Some daily lenses have been approved by the FDA for planned replacement wear.

This is from the FDAs website. I'm not going to identify the lens. It's a daily lens sold by lens.com How long you can use any lens depends on the lens, the way you clean the lens and your body.

There are companies that still market the exact same lens (or substantially the exact same lens) as both a 2 week lens and monthly lens. At one time companies marketed the same lens as an annual (vial) lens and quarterly.

Oh PLEASE let's not go through this again. There's a whole big long thread about this very "all lenses are the same" nonsense here on Lens 101. I'll save you the trouble of looking it up.

*Sigh* Let's go to lens.com and choose the first lenses listed as a 1-2 week lenses:

Bausch & Lomb 2 Week (SofLens 59).
What are they made of? 41% hilafilcon A, 59% H2O

Okay, the first monthly contact lenses listed: Optima 38/SP
What are they made of? 62% polymacon, 38% H2O

Now, can you please explain to me how these two lenses are the same?

You said "how long you can use any lens depends on the lens, the way you clean the lens and your body." EXACTLY! How long you can use any lens depends on the lens because they're different. They're not all "paper plates".

lurker2010 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 10:31 AM

Your post is rude. It doesn't address any of the points I made. I'm sorry if I didn't word my post better, but I don't think you took the time to read it carefully. I'll try to do a better job explaining.

I never said all soft lenses are the same. Different paper plate have different thickness. Some are treated to make them waterproof. The paper plate vs china analogy makes some sense if you're comparing RGP lenses with soft lenses. I would even accept the analogy if you're comparing silicon hydrogel lenses with traditional soft lenses. The analogy sort of works if you're comparing traditional vial lenses (1-2 years) with disposable lenses.

My point is some manufactures market the exact same lens, or substantially the same lens, in different packages with different suggested replacement schedules.

I never said the 2 B&L products you mentioned were the same lens. I'd be pretty stupid to claim that. It's rude to imply I made such a claim.

You can find manufacturers who market lenses with the same materials in different packaging with different replacement schedules. Picking two that are different does nothing to refute my statement that sometimes the lenses are the same. I'm curious why you picked those two lenses?. You were dishonest if you posted knowing other lens combinations were made of the same materials. You were careless in checking your facts if you just looked at the first two lenses you could find.

I don't know where the big long thread is but it sounds like it has half truths in it.

I provided a quote from the FDA website. A lens that was approved (and is being sold) for one day use was also approved (and is being sold) as a montly replacement lens. Lens.com is currently selling the lens. I don't care about paper plates and suntan lotion. The FDA approved the lens for sale as either a daily or used with a replacement schedule. I'm intentionally not listing the name of the lens. A patient should look to their doctor, not an internet site for advice. JMO (the rest of this post is facts) but some of the lenses intended for quick replacement (daily/2 weeks) won't hold up to the kind of (rub) cleaning some of us need for longer use.

A poster is convinced, and has some credible evidence, that the 02 Optix (2 week) lens is the same as the Air Optix Aqua (1 month). Take a look at the thread. I think the poster is probably correct.

I used to wear a 90 day lens. I generally replaced it after 60 days. I'm not suggesting people should wear lenses longer then is safe. I suspect some people can safely extend the replacement intervel and others have to replace the lens more frequently. Again patients should check with their eye proessional not with the internet.

I don't see the point in distorting facts or using bogus analagies.

I'll provide a link to the FDA website.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/index.cfm?start_search=1&Search_Term=LPM%20or%20LP L%20or%20MVN&sort=approvaldatedesc&PAGENUM=10

I'm not sure if the link will work. You may have to search through the fda site until you get the database.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleElvis

Oh PLEASE let's not go through this again. There's a whole big long thread about this very "all lenses are the same" nonsense here on Lens 101. I'll save you the trouble of looking it up.

*Sigh* Let's go to lens.com and choose the first lenses listed as a 1-2 week lenses:

Bausch & Lomb 2 Week (SofLens 59).
What are they made of? 41% hilafilcon A, 59% H2O

Okay, the first monthly contact lenses listed: Optima 38/SP
What are they made of? 62% polymacon, 38% H2O

Now, can you please explain to me how these two lenses are the same?

You said "how long you can use any lens depends on the lens, the way you clean the lens and your body." EXACTLY! How long you can use any lens depends on the lens because they're different. They're not all "paper plates".

Jurassicmark · #14 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The plate analogy is bogus. The lenses are made of the same material. They're all "paper plates".

The "paper plate analogy" compares daily disposable contacts to weekly disposables. Are you saying that daily disposable contacts are made of the same material as weekly?

lurker2010 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurassicmark

The "paper plate analogy" compares daily disposable contacts to weekly disposables. Are you saying that daily disposable contacts are made of the same material as weekly?

People should follow the replacement schedule and cleaning procedure suggested by their eye professional. That said I don't accept the bogus analogies and false information found in this, and similar threads.

Yes the material in one day contacts and 2 week contacts is the same

B&L Dailies 41% (hilafilcon B)
B&L Sof Lens 59 41% hilafilicon B 2 week lens

J&J Accuve 42% Polymer (etafilcon A) daily
J&J Accuvue 42% Polymer (etafilcon A) 1-2 weeks

Biomedics 1 Day (ClearSight 1 Day) 48% Polymer (ocufilcon B) daily
Biomedics 55 45% Polymer (ocufilcon D) 1-2 week lens

The difference between 48% and 45% isn't the difference between china and plastic plates.

They're all plastic. The analogy is bogus.

The FDA's website confirms one lens was approved for both daily and planned replacement sales. Clearly that lens can be safely worn for more then one day. I previously posted the quote from the website. I won't identify the lens. I don't want to suggest people who wear that lens should re-use the lens without consulting their doctor.

There may be some manufacturing differences which suggests some one day contacts can't be re-used but there is a lot of evidence which suggests most one day lenses can be cleaned and re-worn.

Rosetyler · #16 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

People should follow the replacement schedule and cleaning procedure suggested by their eye professional. That said I don't accept the bogus analogies and false information found in this, and similar threads.

Yes the material in one day contacts and 2 week contacts is the same

B&L Dailies 41% (hilafilcon B)
B&L Sof Lens 59 41% hilafilicon B 2 week lens

J&J Accuve 42% Polymer (etafilcon A) daily
J&J Accuvue 42% Polymer (etafilcon A) 1-2 weeks

Biomedics 1 Day (ClearSight 1 Day) 48% Polymer (ocufilcon B) daily
Biomedics 55 45% Polymer (ocufilcon D) 1-2 week lens

The difference between 48% and 45% isn't the difference between china and plastic plates.

They're all plastic. The analogy is bogus.

The FDA's website confirms one lens was approved for both daily and planned replacement sales. Clearly that lens can be safely worn for more then one day. I previously posted the quote from the website. I won't identify the lens. I don't want to suggest people who wear that lens should re-use the lens without consulting their doctor.

There may be some manufacturing differences which suggests some one day contacts can't be re-used but there is a lot of evidence which suggests most one day lenses can be cleaned and re-worn.

I went to lens.com and checked out your numbers and materials, lurker. You know what? You're right. The information is just as you say. I think I may need to contact some contact lens manufacturers . . .

LittleElvis · #17 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

Your post is rude. It doesn't address any of the points I made. I'm sorry if I didn't word my post better, but I don't think you took the time to read it carefully. I'll try to do a better job explaining.

I never said all soft lenses are the same. Different paper plate have different thickness. Some are treated to make them waterproof. The paper plate vs china analogy makes some sense if you're comparing RGP lenses with soft lenses. I would even accept the analogy if you're comparing silicon hydrogel lenses with traditional soft lenses. The analogy sort of works if you're comparing traditional vial lenses (1-2 years) with disposable lenses.

My point is some manufactures market the exact same lens, or substantially the same lens, in different packages with different suggested replacement schedules.

I never said the 2 B&L products you mentioned were the same lens. I'd be pretty stupid to claim that. It's rude to imply I made such a claim.

You can find manufacturers who market lenses with the same materials in different packaging with different replacement schedules. Picking two that are different does nothing to refute my statement that sometimes the lenses are the same. I'm curious why you picked those two lenses?. You were dishonest if you posted knowing other lens combinations were made of the same materials. You were careless in checking your facts if you just looked at the first two lenses you could find.

I don't know where the big long thread is but it sounds like it has half truths in it.

I provided a quote from the FDA website. A lens that was approved (and is being sold) for one day use was also approved (and is being sold) as a monthly replacement lens. Lens.com is currently selling the lens. I don't care about paper plates and suntan lotion. The FDA approved the lens for sale as either a daily or used with a replacement schedule. I'm intentionally not listing the name of the lens. A patient should look to their doctor, not an internet site for advice. JMO (the rest of this post is facts) but some of the lenses intended for quick replacement (daily/2 weeks) won't hold up to the kind of (rub) cleaning some of us need for longer use.

A poster is convinced, and has some credible evidence, that the 02 Optix (2 week) lens is the same as the Air Optix Aqua (1 month). Take a look at the thread. I think the poster is probably correct.

I used to wear a 90 day lens. I generally replaced it after 60 days. I'm not suggesting people should wear lenses longer then is safe. I suspect some people can safely extend the replacement intervel and others have to replace the lens more frequently. Again patients should check with their eye proessional not with the internet.

I don't see the point in distorting facts or using bogus analagies.

I'll provide a link to the FDA website.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/index.cfm?start_search=1&Search_Term=LPM%20or%20LP L%20or%20MVN&sort=approvaldatedesc&PAGENUM=10

I'm not sure if the link will work. You may have to search through the fda site until you get the database.

Lurker2010,

I'm sorry if I was rude. I'm just tired of people coming in this site to stir up trouble. I'm not saying that was your motivation, but it had that effect.

The reason I chose the two lenses I did was more or less at random.
If what you say is true, then I could go the the 1-2 week disposable page of Lens.com and pick the first lens I see, and then do the same for the monthly disposables, then I should find that they both have the same composition, which was not the case.

"I never said all soft lenses are the same. " you said, but you did, and I quote . . . er . . . copy and paste: "The plate analogy is bogus. The lenses are made of the same material. They're all 'paper plates.' " What was I supposed to think when you used the word "all"?

"I don't see the point in distorting facts or using bogus analagies" you said. I distorted nothing and used the best analogy I could think of.

I don't appreciate your use of the word "bogus." I'm not trying to deceive anyone. I just don't want anyone making false accusations.

Finally, as Rosetyler pointed out, the lenses you chose in your most recent post do show that some daily contact lenses are the same as some two week lenses. I freely admit that. But I was able to show that some two week and some monthly contacts are different. I chose those because you said in a previous post "There are companies that still market the exact same lens (or substantially the exact same lens) as both a 2 week lens and monthly lens."

So this is the score. Some daily contacts are the same as some two week lenses. Some two week lenses are different from monthly lenses."

I think it's just a misunderstanding and I'm sorry if I was rude.

Knotlob · #18 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleElvis

Lurker2010,

I'm sorry if I was rude. I'm just tired of people coming in this site to stir up trouble. I'm not saying that was your motivation, but it had that effect.

The reason I chose the two lenses I did was more or less at random.
If what you say is true, then I could go the the 1-2 week disposable page of Lens.com and pick the first lens I see, and then do the same for the monthly disposables, then I should find that they both have the same composition, which was not the case.

"I never said all soft lenses are the same. " you said, but you did, and I quote . . . er . . . copy and paste: "The plate analogy is bogus. The lenses are made of the same material. They're all 'paper plates.' " What was I supposed to think when you used the word "all"?

"I don't see the point in distorting facts or using bogus analagies" you said. I distorted nothing and used the best analogy I could think of.

I don't appreciate your use of the word "bogus." I'm not trying to deceive anyone. I just don't want anyone making false accusations.

Finally, as Rosetyler pointed out, the lenses you chose in your most recent post do show that some daily contact lenses are the same as some two week lenses. I freely admit that. But I was able to show that some two week and some monthly contacts are different. I chose those because you said in a previous post "There are companies that still market the exact same lens (or substantially the exact same lens) as both a 2 week lens and monthly lens."

So this is the score. Some daily contacts are the same as some two week lenses. Some two week lenses are different from monthly lenses."

I think it's just a misunderstanding and I'm sorry if I was rude.

Well, I'm glad you two can kiss and make up

This is much the same argument that I had posted previously, with regard to two Bausch & Lomb lenses:

Bausch & Lomb Soflens Daily Disposable (Hilafilcon B) 59% Water, Daily Replacement

Bausch & Lomb Soflens 59 (Hilafilcon B) 59% Water, Monthly Replacement

http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=3365&xSec=68
http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=369&xSec=68

But again, when I posted this, I was speaking after having worn a pair of SofLens Daily Disposable lenses for several weeks (disinfecting at night of course). The lens did not suffer significant deposit build up, mechanical damage, loss of visual clarity or acuteness in vision. Nor did I experience any eye discomfort or irritation/infection.

Of course not all Daily lenses are the same as the Monthly one offered by a given manufacturer, probably very few in fact, but there is sometimes significant evidence to suggest that, in some cases the lenses are the same or significantly similar.

(To repeat in case of misunderstanding, when I did the test with the Soflens Daily Disposable, it was only to satisfy personal curiosity and I don't wear Daily Disposables as a rule. I am wearing Biofinity lenses and stick to the manufacturer's guidelines of one month's wear). I don't recommend any contact lens wearer to depart from the manufacturer's recommendations, unless advised to by their own personal Eye Care Professional.

knotlob

lurker2010 · #19 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 05:50 PM

You should either check with your eye doctor or go to the FDA website. The contact lens mfg is going to tell you to stick with the replacement schedule on the package.

The lenses we're talking about are made with a polymer and water. The difference between one polymer and another polymer isn't equivalent to the difference between a paper plate and a china plate.

The same polymer's that are used for a daily lens are also used in 2 week lenses.

At least one mfg sells the exact same lense as a monthly and as a daily lnes,, per FDA filing. In other cases the lenses are equivalent. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one manufacturer has a one day lens that's truly only good for one day, but I haven't seen any evidence of one.

Tonythetiger · #20 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The lenses we're talking about are made with a polymer and water. The difference between one polymer and another polymer isn't equivalent to the difference between a paper plate and a china plate.

I think the point of the plate comparison is that you you shouldn't wear a daily disposable contact lens more than once any more than you should use a paper plate more than once. They just weren't made to be used in that way.

Tonythetiger · #21 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Well, I'm glad you two can kiss and make up

knotlob

I don't know if we can say they "made up." Little Elvis has apologized, but Lurker2010 has yet to respond to the apology, unless he or she has done it privately.

So knotlob, you seem pretty knowledgeable about contact lenses. Let me ask your opinion about something. Does it bother you that there are some lenses that seem to be sold as both daily and monthly?

Knotlob · #22 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonythetiger

I don't know if we can say they "made up." Little Elvis has apologized, but Lurker2010 has yet to respond to the apology, unless he or she has done it privately.

So knotlob, you seem pretty knowledgeable about contact lenses. Let me ask your opinion about something. Does it bother you that there are some lenses that seem to be sold as both daily and monthly?

It doesn't bother me particularly, unless I feel that the Optician or Lens Company is deliberately deceiving me, then I just walk away from them, never to return. (I've just done that with one optician).

It's just that when I did some research on the Bausch & Lomb Soflens Daily I was initially surprised to find that it appeared to be nearly or exactly the same as the Monthly offering and the Daily performance pretty well confirmed that the lenses were the same as the Monthly equivalent.

I can understand the economics behind that in simplified production planning and I don't think material costs are going to be terribly significant in the overall plan. If I was wearing these lenses then I could make my own decision as to which to wear (hopefully with some guidance from my optician, though they sometimes need to be interrogated before giving a plausible answer/explanation).

knotlob

lurker2010 · #23 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonythetiger

I don't know if we can say they "made up." Little Elvis has apologized, but Lurker2010 has yet to respond to the apology, unless he or she has done it privately.

So knotlob, you seem pretty knowledgeable about contact lenses. Let me ask your opinion about something. Does it bother you that there are some lenses that seem to be sold as both daily and monthly?

I didn't see the need to respond.
I didn't read her post the way she intended it to read. It's easy for posters to write posts that don't have the tone they intend. It's also easy for posters to misinterpret posts. A little of both happened here. I think she thought my first post was looking for trouble.

Tony the comparison is bogus. You want to keep using a bogus analogy? A company makes plastic silverwear. Products comes off the assembly line. Half go in a package that says use and throw out. No mess. No cleaning. The other half goes in a package that says our utensils are made so well you can re-use them. Even put them in a dishwasher. Those utensils are more expense. Maybe even in a better looking box.

That's literally the case with some contact lenses. It's almost true with others.

Check with your eye care professional. Some people can use lenses for longer periods then suggested by the mfg. Other people need to change lenses more frequently.