Extending the Life of Monthly Contact Lenses

Georgiaonmymind · #1 (**permalink**) 06-18-2008, 08:45 AM

There are certain contact lenses that last a week if you sleep in them, two weeks if you don't.
Does it work the same way with monthly contact lenses? Can you make them last for two months if you don't sleep in them?

jessje · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 11:26 AM

I have no idea, but I wouldn't do that to be sure, my eyes are very important to me, I wouldn't want to get an infection of any kind because I was to frugal to buy new lenses.

me.ga.warui · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009, 03:27 AM

I think you can, if you clean them regularly. I had a friend who used extended lenses for a year and three months, I think. But for your eyes' health, better not try to use them more than they're intended for.

chemist · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009, 08:05 AM

one has to think carefully about what causes eye infections. if you sterilize the contacts every night ( hydrogen peroxide based is best ), then you are not carrying infectious agents from day-to-day.

the more important reason for replacing them is the buildup of proteins that can reduce the oxygen transfer and create distortion in the lens.

one can reduce these effects by simply using an enzymatic cleaner on a regular basis to remove them.

there are lots of uninformed comments on this site.

Georgiaonmymind · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemist

there are lots of uninformed comments on this site.

Hi chemist,

I agree, but then again, this isn't "AnswersFromEyeDoctorsOnly.com." This is a forum by and for regular people. Sure, there are some eye care professionals who check in every once in a while, but mostly it's people who have had contact lenses themselves and speak from experience.

You say others are "uniformed" here. I take that to mean you have some kind of expertise in this area?