How Often Should One Switch Their Pair of Contacts? By Adriana N At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Wearing contact lenses has become as common as wearing eye glasses. When one wears contact lenses, they have to think of them as a medical device that requires proper handling and care. One such contact lens care technique is taking the time to understand when they should be switched for a new pair of contacts.

Normally the manufacturer states how long a pair of contacts should be worn before they need to be replaced. As well, your eye doctor will also have the correct information about when to switch a pair of contacts.

There are a number of various types of contact lenses. Such contact lenses can include regular contact lenses, daily wear contacts, and extended wear contacts. The life of a contact lens depends on the type and brand of the contact lens. Experts say that on average, the life of regular soft contact lenses is about 12 to 16 months. The average life of RGP lenses is about 3-4 years depending on the care taken with handling the lenses. Most normal extended wear lenses should be switched after one month. Daily wear contacts must be removed nightly.

While extended wear contacts can be worn overnight for seven days in a row without removal, the life of the contact lenses will also depend on how well you take care of them. A healthy pair of contacts should not cause any pain to the wearer. If your contact lenses are uncomfortable and the discomfort does not resolve after cleaning and disinfecting them, it may be time to switch contact lenses. Cleaning contact lenses involve using a rub or non rub cleaner and soaking them in disinfectant overnight. There is also special protein removing products on the market to remove protein build up on the lens. Make sure your hands are washed thoroughly before handling your contacts. How long soft colored contact lenses last will depend not only on how one takes care of them, but also the thickness of the lens.

Even if you care for lenses properly on a daily basis, there will be a time when the contacts will become over worn and cause eye problems. Problems can include: corneal ulceration, eye infection, sensitivity of the eyes and eyelids, increased mucus and redness of the conjunctiva, abrasions of the cornea, eye pain, and sensitivity to light, and cloudy and blurred vision.

Different contact lens brands and types are made to last various lengths of time. Some contacts are designed to be worn 24 hours a day for a month. Other contact lenses are designed to last only 2 weeks. As well, there are contacts made to last for a year with good cleaning and disinfection practices.

If you are unable to get your contact lenses to feel comfortable again and switching to a new pair of lenses does not correct the problem, you should see your eye doctor. You may have a medical problem or the particular type of contact lenses may not be the right type for you.

It is important to remember that contacts are inserted into the eye so it is essential to take care of them in order to maintain good eye health.

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