Extended wear contact lens are lenses that may be worn in an extended period of time unlike the daily wear contact lens. The longest period of using extended wear contact lens is 7 days without removal, it is approved by the Food and Drugs Administration.
New innovations to extended wear are being developed. Silicone hydrogel is a new type of soft contact lens material that permits more air to go to the cornea; the FDA approved this to be worn up to a month without removal. There are some gas permeable lenses can be worn up to a month can also be called “continuous wear”.
During its introduction, a lot of eye care practitioners are unconvinced of using extended wear contact lens because it increases incidents of eye infection, especially to those who wear it overnight. Exrended wear contact lenses risks the eyes from organisms that might be trapped on the lenses. As we all know, most micro organisms thrive in warm and moist environment, and the cornea is the best place as it lacks oxygen whenever a contact lens is worn. Caution must be applied whenever you are using extended wear contact lens as it can lead to mild infections to more serious conditions like blindness.
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Because of the growing popularity of the disposable contact lens, extended wear contact lens is making a comeback. Improper cleaning and sanitation is often the reason why people acquire eye infections, there are proteins, lipids and other deposits that are impossible to remove. Inflammation and infection is often caused by the bacteria that bred in the contact lenses every time an individual takes it off. Today, the contact lenses are disposed after use and never to be used again, avoiding infection from contaminants.
Aside from improper cleaning and disinfecting, the lifestyle you are living may also cause infection in the eyes. Exposure to smoke, wearing contacts while swimming and previous eye infections can lead to various complications. You must ask an eye doctor whether an extended contact lens is appropriate for your needs.
