Unlike the daily wear contact lens, an extended wear contact lens may be worn for longer periods of time. 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. A newer type of soft contact lens material, the silicone hydrogel is so permeable, meaning they allow more oxygen to the cornea; the FDA approves them to be worn for a month without removal. There are some gas permeable lenses can be worn up to a month can also be called “continuous wear”.

At first, many eye care practitioners frown on the use of extended wear contact lens because the incidence of eye infections are greater on those who wore them overnight. Extended wear contact lenses poses a hazard to the eyes because of the organisms might be lodged on the lenses. They can thrive on the warm and moist environment and due to the lack of oxygen to the cornea; the eye is prone to infection from these organisms. It may only start as pink eye but if it is left untreated it may lead to serious conditions like blindness.

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. The contact lenses becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and whenever the individual wears the lenses again, it could cause infection and inflammation of the eyes. To prevent infection from contaminants in the contact lenses, it is required to be thrown away right after removing.

Again, the main cause of infection is improper cleaning and disinfecting but you must also consider your lifestyle. Exposure to smoke, wearing contacts while swimming and previous eye infections can lead to various complications. Asking advice from an eye doctor if a extended contact lens is appropriate for a person’s requirement is a must.