The Importance of Replacing Your Contact Lenses On Time

Replacing your contact lenses on time is key to fresh, vibrant and healthy looking eyes.

Wearing your lenses for longer than the recommended schedule can lead to a host of vision problems including:

• Eye irritation
• Eyelid inflammation
• Eye infections
• Redness
• Uncomfortable vision

How often you change your contact lenses for a fresh pair will depend on the type of lenses you wear.

At Market Mall Optometry, we provide a contact lens fitting service, during which one of our eye doctors can advise you on which contact lenses will best suit your needs and how frequently you should replace them.

Considering contact lenses? Here is a basic guideline to get you started.

Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Daily disposable lenses are single-use lenses and are considered to be the most convenient and healthiest way to wear contact lenses.

When to replace: Every day. These contact lenses should be discarded at the end of each day and replaced with a fresh pair in the morning.

Bi-Weekly/Monthly Contact Lenses

These soft contact lenses are a popular choice as they are very good for the health of the eye and are available in most prescriptions.

When to replace: Replace these contact lenses on a bi-weekly or monthly schedule. They require a simple cleaning and disinfection between uses and are removed at nighttime.

Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses are designed to be worn continuously for up to 30 days. These are the best choice for patients who want to wear their lenses overnight.

However, these types of lenses are not suitable for everyone. Our qualified eye doctors will be able to help determine whether or not you are a good candidate for extended wear contacts.

When to replace: Extended wear lenses may be worn continuously for the prescribed period (7-30 days) and then discarded and replaced with a fresh pair.

Rigid Gas Permeable (Hard) Contact Lenses

RGPs are made from a more durable and firmer material than soft contact lenses and are ideal for patients who have eye conditions such as astigmatism or keratoconus.

When to replace: RGPs have a very long lifespan and are usually changed at an annual eye check up, though some may last up to 2 years.

Tips for Replacing Your Contact Lenses

It is very important to keep to the replacement schedule your eye-doctor recommends for your contact lenses.

Following it will keep your eyes safe and comfortable. Here are a few tips to help you remember when it’s time for that fresh pair.

• Always replace your lenses on the same day of the week. (For example, discard old lenses on Sunday night and start with a fresh pair on Monday morning.)
• Mark your lens pack. For example, if you need to replace your contact lenses on June 1st, mark the individual lens package 6/1
• Mark a calendar to remind yourself when to replace your contact lenses.

To learn more about the benefits and costs of contact lenses, contact our Calgary Eye Clinic at 403-286-4884.

Book a Contact Lens Fitting