Wearing contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to glasses for many people. With modern technology, contact lenses have become increasingly comfortable and easy to use. This leads many contact lens wearers to wonder – can I wear my contacts everyday? The short answer is yes, you can wear certain types of contact lenses daily. However, there are some important factors to consider when deciding if daily contact lens wear is right for you.
The Different Types of Contacts
There are a few main types of contact lenses, each with their own benefits and drawbacks for daily use:
- Soft daily disposable contacts – These are designed for daily wear and frequent replacement. The soft, flexible material makes them quite comfortable for all-day wear. Many brands can be safely worn for up to 12-14 hours per day.
- Soft reusable contacts – These can be worn for multiple days, but need to be removed for cleaning and disinfecting daily. Reusable contacts may not be quite as comfortable for very long hours of wear compared to disposables.
- Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses – RGPs hold their shape and provide crisp vision. However, they are not typically recommended for full-time wear, especially by those new to contacts.
- Extended wear lenses – These can be worn overnight as well as during daytime hours. However, maintaining healthy eyes with extended wear can be challenging.
- Orthokeratology lenses – These rigid lenses are designed to temporarily reshape the cornea when worn overnight. They are not meant for all-day wear.
For daily wear, soft daily disposable or reusable contacts tend to be the best option. They provide a healthy balance of comfort, convenience, and safety when worn during waking hours.
Benefits of Daily Wear
There are several potential advantages to wearing your contacts daily:
- Convenience – You avoid the need to switch between glasses and contacts.
- Consistency in vision – Your vision correction remains the same throughout the day.
- Cosmetic appearance – Some people prefer how they look without glasses.
- No need to clean lenses – With daily disposables, you simply throw out and replace the lenses regularly.
- Easier for activities – Contacts can provide unobstructed vision for sports and other activities.
For many active people, students, and professionals, the simplicity of putting in their contacts once in the morning and not thinking about them again is very appealing.
Potential Drawbacks of All-Day Wear
While daily contact lens use provides many benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
- Dry eyes – Lenses can exacerbate dryness and discomfort in eyes that are prone to this.
- Higher costs – Frequent replacement of disposable daily lenses adds up over time.
- Higher infection risk – Sleeping in lenses and long wear time raise the risk of certain eye infections.
- Poor lens care habits – People may be tempted to overwear lenses or skimp on proper disinfecting.
- Emergencies – Having backup glasses is wise in case a lens tears or gets lost.
Keeping your eyes healthy and avoiding complications means taking steps to minimize these risks with any continuous contact lens use.
Guidelines for Daily Wear
If you and your eye doctor determine that daily contact lens use is appropriate for you, follow these guidelines for safe, comfortable wear:
- Choose the right lens – Opt for a reputable brand of soft, disposable daily lens or reusable lens approved for continuous wear.
- Don’t sleep in lenses – Unless they are specifically extended wear lenses, take out your lenses before bed.
- Follow a wear schedule – Give your eyes a rest by going without lenses one day per week.
- Use proper hygiene – Wash hands before handling lenses, and don’t wear lenses while swimming or in hot tubs.
- Replace lenses on schedule – Follow your lens replacement plan diligently.
- Use rewetting drops – Carry lubricating drops to use midday if your lenses feel dry.
- See your eye doctor yearly – Get regular exams to check for any issues.
Adhering to healthy contact lens practices reduces the risks of daily wear. Be vigilant about comfort and care for optimal vision and eye health.
Who Should Avoid Daily Wear?
Though many people successfully wear their lenses daily, there are some circumstances where it may be better to avoid continuous contact lens use:
- Children – Their eyes are still developing, so daily wear is not recommended for kids.
- Those with certain eye conditions – Such as dry eye disease, allergies, or inflammatory conditions.
- People living in dry, dusty climates – Environmental factors can exacerbate dryness issues.
- Those with manual labor jobs – Dusty, dirty conditions may increase infection risk.
- Athletes or swimmers – Water exposure ups the odds of microbial keratitis.
- People whose eyes don’t react well – If you’ve tried daily lenses before and had problems, discuss options with your eye doctor.
For some groups, limiting contact lens wear to part-time may be the healthier choice. Have open conversations with your eye care provider.
The Takeaway on Daily Contacts
Daily contact lens wear offers convenience but requires diligent eye care. For many people, the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Here are some key points to remember:
- Daily disposable contacts are ideal for consistent daily use.
- Take precautions like hand hygiene, scheduled replacement, and proper disinfection.
- Give your eyes a rest by going without lenses periodically.
- See your eye doctor annually to check the health of your eyes.
- Communicate any discomfort or vision changes immediately.
- Some groups should avoid wearing lenses for prolonged periods.
With responsible habits and regular checkups, daily contact lens wear can be safe, easy, and reliable for active lifestyles. Work with your eye care professional to determine if all-day contact lens use is the right choice for you.
| Contact lens type | Best for daily wear? | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Soft disposable | Yes | Comfortable, convenient, replaced frequently |
| Soft reusable | With care | Can be worn multiple days but require daily cleaning |
| Rigid gas permeable (RGP) | No | Hold shape well but less comfortable for all-day wear |
| Extended wear | With caution | Worn overnight and daytime but higher infection risk |
| Orthokeratology | No | Worn at night only to reshape cornea |
This table summarizes the key types of contact lenses and notes which are most suitable for daily wear. Soft disposable daily contacts tend to be the top choice for consistent, comfortable all-day use. Other lens varieties may require more caution, care, or part-time wear to maintain eye health.
Conclusion
Daily contact lens wear offers many conveniences but also carries some risks if not practiced carefully. Work closely with your eye doctor to select the right contact lens product for your eyes and lifestyle needs. Maintain diligent hygiene and replacement habits, give your eyes a rest periodically, and get regular checkups. If you follow professional guidelines for care, many people can safely and successfully wear certain contact lenses on a daily basis for active lifestyles and clear, comfortable vision.
