Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: warsh88 on 01/08/2007 23:37:12
-
Having read a contact lens post on this forum, I have decided to ask my own question.
For about 2 years now, I have been effectively doubling the supply of daily lenses I buy, by wearing them for 2 days instead of daily and storing them in soft contact lens solution over night in between. I have had no problems whatsoever with this, maybe twice in those 2 years a lens has split in my eye, but the piece was easily gotten out! I have been told that it is O.K. by one optician and then was advised against it by another (trying to sell me more lenses perhaps?!). I was wondering what your views would be on this and if there is any risk. Many thanks!
-
I think that this is a very high risk strategy.
A contact lens constitutes a foreign body and, as such, is nidus for infection. That is, bacteria and other organisms find it relatively easy to colonise the contact lens, and your immune system finds it relatively difficult to disarm them in situ.
The natural defences of the eye include tear production, blinking and secretory anti-microbial components such as IgA antibodies and lysozyme (an enzyme that breaks down components of the bacterial cell wall).
These defences are optimised to work on the native eye surface, not on a contact lens. This means that the lens can accumulate proteins and bacteria during daily wear, more organisms when you put your fingers in your eyes to remove the lens, and then even more organisms as they multiply whilst the lens sits over-night in a buffered solution containing no anti-microbial chemicals.
Consequently, you could be putting yourself at significant risk of a serious eye infection. The cornea is extremely delicate and infection can lead to ulceration and blindness.
I would argue that sight is worth significantly more than you are saving by using throw-away lenses more than once.
Chris
-
Well, I have daily contacts. They havne't been out for over a month. I've hadd them in for 2 months straight once. Oops, but my vision is still good. And they are supposed to only be used for one month being taken out every night. Again, Oops haha. I have never had a split contact and I am going on my second year also..
-
According to one optician I spoke with, "contact lenses are the largest single cause of eye problems in the developed world." I wear them from time to time, but I am less enamoured of them these days now that I realise the risks. Sight is far too precious and far too higher price to pay for vanity.
chris
-
Their types of the lens, If you want to contact lenses for a Long time yes there is and if not so some are for short time like party wear.
-
Their types of the lens, If you want to contact lenses for a Long time yes there is and if not so some are for short time like party wear.
You could at least use good English when spamming us.
We’ve changed you links to ours and are farsighted enough to ban you.
Be seeing you (NOT)
-
Daily wear contact lenses can be safely disinfected for reuse for 2 weeks to a month before discarding. Daily wear contact lenses are made to be worn during the day only, but can safely be reused for up to a month. These contacts are not meant to sleep in overnight.