How Long Can You Wear Daily Contacts?

Contact lenses are safe and effective when used correctly, but even small mistakes in wearing or cleaning them can cause irritation or infection. A common question among wearers is how long daily contact lenses can safely be worn.

Daily lenses are designed for short-term use and must be replaced regularly to protect your eyes from bacteria and dryness. Let’s look at how daily lenses work, how long you can wear them, and why following your optometrist’s instructions is essential.

What Are Daily Wear Contacts?

Daily contact lenses come in two main types that are often confused with one another. Understanding the difference helps you wear them correctly and avoid potential risks.

Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Daily disposable contacts are for single-day use only. They come in large quantity packages usually consisting of 30-180 lenses. As single-use lenses, they are specially designed. They have a low resistance to germs, bacteria and protein build-up.

These lenses are much thinner than other types of contact lenses. This usually means that they are much more comfortable. The material that makes these lenses oxygen permeable and comfortable has a drawback. These contacts are also susceptible to microorganisms and build-up.

Daily Wear Disposable Contacts

Daily wear contact lenses are worn every day for up to a month. These lenses need nightly cleaning and disinfection. They are comfortably worn for 8 or more hours at a time. But you should never wear these contacts overnight.

These daily wear lenses use a complex woven matrix bonded from layers of synthetic materials. The materials prevent the normal buildup of organic elements such as bacteria and other germs. The lenses are designed for regular cleaning and disinfection without them breaking down.

Why You Should Always Follow the Instructions

Contact lenses are FDA-approved medical devices, which means they have been tested for safety when used as directed. Wearing lenses longer than recommended can lead to serious complications such as infection or corneal damage.

Common mistakes include:

• Reusing daily disposable lenses
• Wearing lenses overnight
• Using expired solution or packaging fluid
• Exposing lenses to water while swimming or showering

Even tap water can contain harmful microorganisms such as acanthamoeba, which can cause painful corneal ulcers. The only liquids that should ever touch your lenses are approved contact lens solutions and rewetting drops.

Always wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses, and never use saliva or water to clean them.

Daily Disposable or Daily Wear, Follow the Instructions!

Clean hands are a must. Always wash your hands and thoroughly dry them before putting in or removing lenses. Touching your eyes can introduce irritants and dangerous germs. If you wear makeup, apply eyeliner and mascara after your lenses are safely in your eyes.

Let’s pretend that your contact lenses are like drinking containers. If you wear hard contacts, those are your basic, reusable glasses. They are tough and last a long time with proper care. You can scrub at them, but eventually, they get scratched and brittle.

Daily wear contacts are your "red solo party cups" so to speak. Party cups can be rinsed and refilled several times before you discard them. While you can leave stuff in them overnight, you wouldn't want to. Your daily wear contacts are good for several uses. But you should note that these uses do not include overnight wear. You definitely should not use them past the two weeks or one month mark, as noted on the box.

Daily disposable contacts are your "paper dixie cups". Paper cups are for a single use and don't last more than a few hours. You can't wash them. Your daily disposable lenses are much the same. They become saturated with proteins in your eyes and must be discarded.

How Long Can You Safely Wear Daily Contacts?

On average, daily contact lenses can be worn for 8 to 16 hours before they should be removed. Your exact wear time depends on your eye sensitivity, lens material, and environmental factors like humidity.

If your eyes begin to feel dry, irritated, or red, remove your lenses immediately and allow your eyes to rest. Sleeping in contact lenses greatly increases the risk of infection because it limits oxygen flow to the corneas.

Overwearing or reusing daily lenses can lead to conditions such as keratitis, a serious infection that can threaten your vision. It is always safer to replace your lenses on schedule than to push their limits.

For Many Hours Before Irritation

Official studies indicate that contacts wearers don’t follow the recommended contacts’ usage and care schedule. The reasons tend to center on the inconvenience of contact lens care and the expense of getting new lenses.

If you are asking "How long can you wear daily contacts?" the answer is all day. Just follow your doctor's recommendations.

Best Practices for Daily Lens Care

Daily disposable lenses and daily wear lenses are not interchangeable. They consist of different materials and are for different purposes. Never reuse daily disposable lenses!

• Always start with clean, dry hands.
• Use fresh disinfecting solution every time you store your lenses.
• Never reuse old solution or top off what remains in your case.
• Keep your contact lens case clean and replace it every few months.
• Follow your optometrist’s recommendations for wear time and replacement schedule.

For daily disposable lenses, simply discard them after each use. For daily wear reusable lenses, clean and store them properly each night.

When to Contact Your Optometrist

If you notice any of the following symptoms, remove your lenses and schedule an eye exam:

• Persistent redness or burning
• Blurry or hazy vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye discharge or swelling

Your doctor can determine if the issue is caused by overwear, dryness, or an infection and help you find lenses that fit better for your eyes.

For more information about keeping your eyes happy and healthy, keep reading our blog.

FAQ: How Long Can You Wear Daily Contacts?

How many hours can I wear daily disposable contacts?

Most people can wear daily disposable lenses for 8 to 16 hours. However, if your eyes feel irritated before that, remove them sooner.

Can I sleep in daily contacts?

No. Sleeping in daily lenses, even for a short nap, increases the risk of infection and dryness. Always remove them before bed.

What happens if I reuse daily disposable lenses?

Reusing daily disposable lenses can cause bacterial buildup and irritation. They are not designed for cleaning or multiple uses.

Can I shower or swim with contact lenses?

You should avoid exposing lenses to water, as it can introduce harmful microorganisms that may cause eye infections.

How do I know if I have worn my contacts too long?

If your eyes feel dry, sore, or red, or if your vision becomes cloudy, remove your lenses immediately and rest your eyes.