Why Wearing Contacts Too Long Really Is A Big Deal
Contact lenses have come a long way when it comes to comfort and wearability. An unfortunate result of that is that many people think it’s perfectly ok to wear their contacts longer than is recommended. For some, this means leaving their contacts in 24/7, while others wear their lenses for weeks or even months after the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Some people wear their contacts beyond the recommended time period to save money, and others do so because they don’t keep track of when they began wearing a pair of contacts. If the contacts are still comfortable, even if they should have been replaced long ago, many people think wearing them for too long is simply no big deal.
However, wearing contacts for too long is called ‘overwear,’ and it can result in some serious issues which really are a big deal. Often times, problems stemming from overwear of contacts develop very quickly and can result in permanent damage to your eyes, even blindness in some cases. Wearing contact lenses for too long puts you at risk for several serious conditions, including:
- Eye infections
- Corneal ulcers
- Dry eye syndrome
- Excessive tearing
- Blurred vision
- Red, irritated eyes
- Pink eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
The longer a contact is worn, the less oxygen the eyes receive, and our eyes require adequate oxygen in order to function properly. To avoid developing issues from wearing contact lenses too long, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for when to replace the lenses, as well as the recommendations for the best way to clean and wear the lenses. It’s also important to be sure that you’re applying and removing your contacts the correct way.
If you wear contact lenses and experience any symptoms of pain or irritation, seek treatment from an ophthalmologist who can quickly diagnose and treat any issue before more serious damage occurs.
At Baptist Eye Surgeons, we have emergency appointments available and can usually see you on the same day you call, with no referral needed.
With offices in Knoxville, TN and Morristown, TN, Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice dedicated to providing quality eye care to patients whose needs range from contact lens prescriptions to complex eye surgeries. To learn about our specialities and our doctors, visit our website. Call us at 865-579-3920 for more information, or visit us online to schedule an appointment.
