Eye Health

Contact Lenses Are They All the Same?

For proper eye health, all contact lenses must allow oxygen to reach the cornea. If there is a lack of oxygen to the eye, the metabolism and health of the cornea will be affected, forcing the eyes to find another source of oxygen by promoting blood vessels to grow into the cornea. This is known as neovascularization and may result from sleeping in daily wear contact lenses, or, from not replacing contact lenses often enough. In order for this blood vessel growth to stop, contact lens wear must be avoided for several months to several years.

Continuous Wear Contact Lenses: Recently, a new type of contact lens polymer was developed that contains silicone. The addition of silicone allows up to six times more oxygen to reach the eye than with standard contact lenses. If you have seen advertisements for breathable contact lenses, then you are familiar with them. Currently, four brands are available: PureVision, Night & Day, O2 Optix and Advance. Both PureVision and Night & Day are FDA approved for overnight wear for up to one month without removing.

Are Continuous Wear Contact Lenses Right for You?: That depends on your current eye health, contact lens habits, and prescription. Even if you remove your contact lenses every night, the health benefits and increased comfort during the day are worth exploring. If you are able to comfortably sleep in these contact lenses, you will benefit from the convenience of clear vision at all times, or as I say, "These contact lenses are like "LASIK in a bottle".

Resources: More information about eye complications from contact lenses may be found on rosedalevision.com.