Extended wear contact lenses
Contact lenses
approved for continuous wear during the day and night are called extended wear
lenses or continual lenses. These lenses intended for continuous wear are made
from a silicone hydrogel material that transmits more oxygen to the cornea of
the eye, thereby providing sufficient oxygen, even during sleep. With
continual wear or extended wear lenses, it is not necessary to remove and
disinfect the lenses in Solution during the
wearing period.
It is always necessary to consult with an
ophthalmologist before wearing lenses continuously to avoid health
complications. Wearing lenses continuously also reduces the lifespan of lenses
by up to 50%. For example, a bi-weekly
lens can be worn for the full 14 days, if removed and disinfected daily. If
the same bi-weekly lens is worn continuously for 7 days and 6 nights
(e.g. Acuvue
Oasys), it should be discarded after 7 days.