How many hours a day should I wear my contact lens?
The number of hours you can safely wear your contact lenses each day to maintain healthy eyes depends on the type of lenses you wear and your eye health. However, there are general guidelines to help you keep your eyes comfortable and avoid complications:
General Guidelines for Contact Lens Wear Time:
- Daily Lenses: Typically designed to be worn for 8-12 hours per day.
- Recommendation: Don’t exceed 12 hours of wear per day to avoid dryness and irritation.
- Why: Since they are replaced daily, they’re designed for short-term wear and don’t accumulate buildup like longer-wear lenses.
- Bi-Weekly and Monthly Lenses: These lenses can be worn for 8/12 hours per day as well, but you must remove them and clean them at the end of the day.
- Recommendation: Aim for 8-12 hours of wear, especially if you experience dryness or discomfort. Make sure to follow the replacement schedule to avoid bacterial buildup or eye infections.
- Why: Overwearing lenses for long periods can cause dryness, discomfort, and increase the risk of eye infections.
- Extended Wear Lenses: Some lenses are designed for overnight wear (up to 7 days or more).
- Recommendation: Follow your eye doctor’s specific instructions, as extended wear lenses can be worn longer (even while sleeping), but removal every night for cleaning is often still recommended for optimal eye health.
- Why: Wearing lenses while sleeping can increase the risk of oxygen deprivation to the cornea and may lead to dryness, irritation, or infection if not properly maintained.
Signs You Might Be Wearing Lenses Too Long:
- Dryness or scratchiness in your eyes.
- Redness or itchiness.
- Blurred vision.
- Eye fatigue or discomfort.
If you experience any of these, you should remove your lenses immediately and allow your eyes to rest. If symptoms persist, consult your eye doctor.
Best Practices for Healthy Lens Wear:
- Follow the recommended wear time: Stick to the maximum hours your lenses are designed for (typically 8-12 hours).
- Give your eyes a break: Try to remove your lenses at least once a day, preferably before going to sleep, to allow your eyes to recover and stay hydrated.
- Once a week take 2 hours to let your eye breath w/o contact lenses so it can rejuvenate your cornea and tear film
- Practice proper lens hygiene: Clean and store your lenses correctly every day to avoid infections and discomfort.
- Use lubricating eye drops: If your lenses feel dry or uncomfortable, using preservative-free lubricating drops can help.
Summary:
To maintain healthy eyes, you should generally wear your contact lenses for 8-12 hours a day, depending on the type of lenses and your comfort level. Avoid wearing them for longer periods and always follow the recommended replacement schedule to ensure your eyes stay healthy and comfortable. If you experience discomfort, give your eyes a break and consult your eye care professional.