What are the dangers of leaving in contact lenses too long?

Question

I have Acuve contact lenses that are recommended to be changed once every two weeks and taken out each night before going to bed.

However, I've had my contacts in for at least four months, and do not even take them out to sleep, and I've had no real problems, other than the occasional fuzzy vision that is cured by a quick eye-rub.

What are the specific dangers of leaving contacts in too long?

Answer 1

You're the reason so many Contact wearers are so MAD that they have to get their Rx renewed annually. Severe Eye Infections: corneal abrasions- which is one you dont want, trust me. Many people I work with say the same thing, but your eye Doc knows the truth when you get in their chair- the eyes dont lie- Do the right thing!

If you have bloodshot eyes this is a major contributing factor- the eye in defense of your actions "Build in" blood vessels to feed the malnourished, oxygen starved eye. Get some back up glasses and give your eyes a breather- at least one day a week- and Never sleep in Accuvue lenses!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I am not sure of that particular brand, however leaving your contacts in that long can cause eye infection because it is not a natural product and interferes with tears which are used in the eye for protection. Also by not cleaning your lenses you are risking infection by buildup or even cause difficulty seeing. Pink eye can be easily contracted this way.
Another important point is that whether you know it or not the eyes take in oxygen and need this oxygen. The contacts create a barrier between the eyes and the much needed oxygen. And so your eyes start to develop small blood vessels in the white part of your eye to deliver the oxygen to the pupil.
Lastly, when I went to the eye doctor a while back this guy had done the same thing and when he was sleeping the contact had rolled back behind his eyelid above the eye and could not get it out- he went to the eye doctor and had to get it removed.
The life of your contacts are also greatly reduced because you are not caring for them properly.

Answer 4

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RE:
What are the dangers of leaving in contact lenses too long?
I have Acuve contact lenses that are recommended to be changed once every two weeks and taken out each night before going to bed.

However, I've had my contacts in for at least four months, and do not even take them out to sleep, and I've had no real problems, other than the occasional...

Answer 5

those contacts are not meant for overnight wear and just because you may not notice anything now doesn't mean that it's healthy. For one, your eyes aren't getting enough oxygen and two, all that protein build-up and bacteria just stay on the lenses and multiply. Corneal abrasion, severe infection, blurry vision and corneal ulcers can result from continuous contact lens wear and improper cleaning/disinfecting. I would consider going to the eye doc now just to make sure there isn't any damage on the corneal surface...

Have you considered CLs that you may wear overnight like the Night&Day?? If, and ONLY if, your optometrist determines that you are a canditate for such wear (that is, by looking at your cornea after contact lens wear as well as taking in consideration your tear production) should you even consider sleeping with your lenses.

Answer 6

Corneal abrasions, blindness, pain, never being able to wear lenses again.

Take those puppies out! If you end up with a corneal abrasion, you will have to administer antibiotic eyedrops every 15 minutes for days. Talk about being inconvenient!!

Call all the contact lens places in your town and see if ANYONE says that wearing your lenses 24/7 is risk free. They will tell you that even the lenses that claim you can sleep in them and wear them 24/7, should be taken out and not worn constantly.

Answer 7

Leaving Contacts In

Answer 8

Eye infection. The bacteria will begin to build up behind the contact, especially if you have gone swimming, and possibly give you an infection, and then you have to go to the eye doctor and pay $60 for the visit and another $60 for antibiotic/steroid eyedrops. And you can't wear your contacts for about a month or so. I know because I have one right now... lol, but not because of leaving my contacts in for too long... I got a viral infection. Anyhow, I advise that you follow the box's instructions. They aren't reccomendations, they are there for your safety. Anyway, good luck with that. And I don't believe you've had them in for four straight months.

Answer 9

The microscopic pores in the lenses will become clogged. Bacteria will form under the contact and will start to consume your eye. You can cause permanent damage and even blindness by doing this. There are instructions for use for a reason. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! You'll want that eyesight later on in life!

Answer 10

Your eyes need oxygen to breath. Extended wear contact lenses are made to wear 2 weeks. But you should give your eyes a "break" at least over night before putting a new pair in. So it's not dangerous over night....to answer your question, but not over night every night for months and months and months. Which is easy to do since you probably don't like wearing glasses anyway. But give your eyes a break.