Problems With Monthly Contact Lenses

If you are considering buying contact lenses, you will need to talk with your doctor and have an exam. There are many different types to choose from that can accommodate how often you want to change them. One type that is popular is monthly wear contacts. These are a type of extended wear lenses that you wear for a month and then throw away. While these are very convenient, they can involve certain complications and risks.

Increased Risk of Infection

• Extended wear contacts are contacts that you can wear for one month without having to take them out. While this is very convenient, it also means that the lenses are not cleaned on a daily basis, which increases the risk of infection since microorganisms and bacteria have a chance to build up.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

• GPC is a common condition for extended content lens wearers. This condition occurs on the surface of the eyelid when deposits of protein and bacteria build up, causing an allergic-type reaction. Taking your lenses out periodically and cleaning them can avoid this.

Corneal Edema

• Corneal edema is caused when the eye does not receive enough oxygen, especially when you sleep in contact lenses. The result is blurred vision, which can usually be cured when the contact lenses are removed. Taking out your lenses periodically and sleeping without them can reduce the chances of corneal edema.