People who are in love with contact lenses find it quite a convenience, but they have little idea of how long they should keep the same batch. There are occasions where people carry on utilizing the contacts well after their expiry time just because they "still feel comfortable." The reality is that lenses won't have to cause discomfort or dryness for them to be harming your eyelands. Here, we will analyze how long contacts last and at what times you actually need to replace them.
It Depends on the Type of Lens You're Wearing
Not all contact lenses are created equal with use duration. The difference is pretty simple as it gets:Â
Daily disposables – These are meant for one-time use only. You wear them once and toss them at the end of the day. No cleaning, no storing, just wear and throw.
Bi-weekly lenses – These are designed to last about two weeks with proper cleaning and overnight storage in solution.
Monthly lenses – These can be worn for around 30 days, but only if you clean them daily and store them the right way when you're not wearing them.
Basically, the lifespan of your lenses depends completely on what type you bought, so always check the packaging before you assume anything.
Signs It's Time to Replace Your Lenses
The technical expiration date indicates that the items have some time before they expire. Still, if you have second thoughts, then you should be very cautious and keep a close eye on the situation.
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 You could find that your eyes are drying up more quickly, are itchy or irritated than you remember being before.
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 Despite cleaning your eyes, there is no comfort at all or your eyes might still remain blurry.Â
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When you first place the lens in, it might be quite unpleasant and even a bit scratchy.
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Your eyes may be red or you may feel that they are fatigued.
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You have used them way beyond the period of recommended
As soon as you find that you have any of these symptoms, it means that you are in quite an urgent need of a brand new pair. Just take a quick swap and don't prolong the situation.Â
What Happens If You Wear Them Too Long?
This is when it turns serious, wearing lenses beyond their expiry date is not only uncomfortable but in fact may be hazardous to your health. As time goes on lenses become the home of protein deposits, bacteria, and debris that are not fully removed by normal cleaning. This leads to eye infections, corneal inflammation, and in rare cases, more severe vision issues. So, in short, stretching your lens wearing period by a few days just to save a couple days is a risky game for your eyes.
Simple Tips to Make Your Lenses Last Their Full Lifespan
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Always wash your hands before touching your lenses
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Use new solution each time and never use the same solution
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Only sleep in your contact lenses if they have been designed for it
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The best practice is to replace your lens case every few months
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Do not put lenses in water like pools or the shower
Final Thoughts
The eyes are literally one of the greatest gifts you can possibly have; So, taking proper care of contact lenses is very important. If you wear daily, bi-weekly or monthly contacts, keeping within the advised schedule of replacing them will help keep the eyes more disease-free, the sight better and clearer.
We at LensKandy think that you can have a good health of your eyes and still make the care not too difficult. Just pick the perfect contact for your needs, obey the replacement schedule, and you will be a happy person for sure.