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.
