Have there been times when you've left your disposable contact lenses in for longer than you're supposed to? We don't need to tell you that so many things are a whole lot better when they are fresh. It's no surprise that the same can also help you understand how often you should change your contacts. There is no shortage of reasons not to keep your lenses in longer than necessary. Despite that fact that you might be tempted, if you want your eyes to look healthy, don't overlook the lens timetable given to you by your optometrist. So, if your optometrist tells you to change them every two weeks, then change them every two weeks, because they can't withstand extended wear.
You might ask, is it so bad to get just two or three more wears out of them? To understand this idea, let's talk about protein - not the type you stir into your shakes, but the natural protein contained in your eye fluids that slowly accumulates on the surface of your lenses and creates a mild haze. Unclear vision is just the beginning.
After some time, these proteins evolve and confuse your immune system, which begins to think that the buildup is a foreign particle, which in turn can be expressed as inflammation in the eye. And this means that your vision won't be working at its best. Other factors can also attribute to this, like the build up of dust or pollen on the lens Even when you do all you can to take great care of your contact lenses, sooner or later they become less clear and smooth, just due to regular wear and tear.
So basically, it's best to keep to the plan your optometrist decides on for you. If you replace your lenses when you're told to, you will never even recognize the difference that is so apparent when you wear them for longer than you're supposed to.