Many people wear contact lenses as an easy and comfortable alternative to glasses. But if you don’t wear them correctly, you could suffer from eye irritation, dryness, or even an infection. To maintain eye optimal eye health, you need to understand how long you can wear different types of contacts. 

Daily Disposable Lenses

Recommended wear time: One day (8-16 hours)

Daily disposable lenses are designed to be worn once and then discarded. These single-use lenses are made from thinner material to allow oxygen to reach your eyes and are not intended for prolonged use. They also have a higher water content than most contacts. 

These contacts for best for:

• People with allergies or dry or sensitive eyes
• Those who prefer to wear a fresh pair every day
• Occasional lens wearers or those who prefer convenience
• Those who want to avoid any chance of infection

Bi-Weekly Disposable Lenses

Recommended wear time: Up to 14 days (8-12 hours per day)

Bi-weekly lenses are meant to be replaced every two weeks and require daily cleaning and storage. They are thicker and more durable than daily disposable contacts. Avoid wearing them beyond the recommended hours every day or you may end up with protein buildup and irritation.

These contacts are best for:

• Regular contact lens wearers
• People looking for a balance between cost and convenience
• People with mild dry eyes
• Those whose vision fluctuates slightly 

Monthly Disposable lenses

Recommended wear time: Up to 30 days (8-14 hours per day)

Monthly lenses are extra durable and require thorough cleaning. Some brands offer extended wear options, meaning you can wear them continually for a few days or even weeks. But if you are going to wear contacts continually, you should get approval from your eye doctor. 

These contacts are best for:

• Frequent lens wearers
• Budget-conscious individuals
• Those with complicated prescriptions or certain eye conditions
• Those who exercise regularly 
• People who don’t mind cleaning their contacts daily

Extended-Wear Lenses

Recommended wear time: Up to 7 days (sometimes 30 days with approval)

Extended-wear lenses are made of highly breathable silicone hydrogel, which allows more oxygen to pass through to your eyes into your cornea. Some can be worn overnight, but sleeping in lenses increases the risk of eye infections, so make sure you schedule regular check-ups with an optometrist.

These contacts are best for:

• People who prefer to keep lenses in overnight
• Those with a busy or active lifestyle
• People with vision issues, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism  
• Those with binocular vision abnormalities, such as amblyopia, who benefit from continuous eye correction 

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

Recommended wear time: Up to 12-14 hours per day

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are made from hard, smooth plastic and last much longer than soft lenses (several months to years). They are also smaller and designed to maintain their shape and move with your eye.

They can be more comfortable and provide sharper vision, but they require an adjustment period. They provide better oxygen permeability but should not be worn overnight unless approved by an eye care professional.

These contacts are best for:

• People with astigmatism or keratoconus
• Those looking for long-term, durable lenses
• Those with dry eyes as these lenses lubricate and allow oxygen to reach the cornea

Scleral Lenses

Recommended wear time: Up to 14-16 hours per day

Scleral lenses are larger than traditional lenses and rest on the white part of the eye. They also leave a small vaulted space between the lens and the eye surface, which is filled with saline to hydrate and protect your eyes. 

They are designed for people with irregular corneas, severe dry eye syndrome, or other eye conditions that make regular contacts uncomfortable or ineffective. Proper cleaning and hydration are key to comfort and safety.

These contacts are best for:

• People with corneal conditions
• Those with severe dry eyes or allergies
• People with complicated prescriptions 

General Tips for Healthy Lens Wear

To have the best possible experience wearing different types of contacts make sure you:

• Always follow the recommended wear schedule provided by your eye doctor.
• Never sleep in contacts unless prescribed as extended wear.
• Clean and store lenses properly to prevent infections.
• Give your eyes a break — wear glasses occasionally.
• Replace lenses on time to maintain optimal eye health.

By sticking to these guidelines and figuring out the best contacts for you and your eyes, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision while keeping your eyes healthy. Always consult with your optometrist if you have any concerns about your lenses or eye health.

Whether it’s due to tiredness, irritation, or simply out of habit, we have all rubbed our eyes at one point. But is rubbing your eyes actually harmful? The short answer is yes, and here’s why you might want to break the habit.

Why Do We Rub Our Eyes?

People often rub their eyes when they are tired and trying to stay awake; when their eyes feel dry or itchy from allergies; or when they are trying to remove something in their eye, like dust or a stray eyelash. Some people may also rub their eyes out of habit without thinking about it or being aware. Some people may also rub their eyes to relieve stress and help them feel calm. 

The Risks of Rubbing Your Eyes

It can damage your cornea

Your cornea (the clear outer layer of your eye) is sensitive. Rubbing too hard, especially with unwashed hands, can cause scratches or even lead to conditions like keratoconus — a thinning of the cornea that causes it to bulge forward into a cone shape and distort and blur your vision. In severe cases, keratoconus may require a cornea transplant.

It increases your risk of infection

Your hands carry bacteria, and rubbing your eyes can introduce germs that lead to pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other infections. If you rub your eyes often, you will continue to increase the chance of irritation or illness.

It can worsen dark circles and wrinkles

You have delicate and thin tissues around your eyes and constant rubbing can cause damage. You can break tiny blood vessels, cause dark circles, and end up with premature wrinkles — giving you a tired, aged look over time.

It can cause increased eye pressure

Rubbing your eyes can temporarily increase intraocular pressure (IOP) or pressure inside the eye, which may lead to glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of diseases affecting the optic nerve in the eye. It can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. 

People who already suffer from glaucoma or high eye pressure should be especially careful not to rub their eyes as it will make the condition much worse. 

It can make allergies worse

If your eyes are itchy due to allergies, you may be tempted to rub your eyes to relieve some of the itchiness. But rubbing can release more histamines, leading to worse itching and redness. This creates a cycle where you rub more, but your eyes just get itchier. Rubbing may also introduce more allergens, such as pet dander or pollen. 

What Can You Do Instead of Rubbing Your Eyes?

Blink frequently

Blinking more often can help keep your eyes moist. If you find yourself rubbing your eyes, you may want to be consciously aware of how often you blink. 

Use eye drops

You can use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to alleviate discomfort and keep you from rubbing your eyes. Make sure to follow the directions and don’t use eye drops more than recommended. If you want help picking an eye drop, you can consult your optometrist. 

Apply a cold compress

You can apply a cold compress or cool, damp washcloth to your closed eyes to relieve itchiness and soothe dryness or irritation.

Practice good hand hygiene

Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes as much as you can. If you need to put in contacts make sure your hands and lenses are clean. If you need to touch your eyes for any other reason, use a tissue or a cotton swab to lessen the likelihood of germs. 

Manage your allergies

If you suffer from allergies, make sure to take medication or use allergy eye drops. These will alleviate your symptoms and help you avoid rubbing your eyes. If you suffer from dry eyes, you may want to consult your doctor as some antihistamines irritate dry eyes. 

Reduce stress and take a break from screens

Stress causes many people to rub their eyes. To avoid this, make sure to manage your stress in different ways, such as exercising, meditating, or taking deep breaths. 

You should also take breaks from staring at phone, tablet, or computer screens as they can cause eye strain and dryness and potentially lead to eye rubbing. Practice the 20-20-20 rule which is when you look away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away.

Stop Rubbing Your Eyes

It can be very tempting to rub your eyes, especially if they are itchy. While it may seem harmless now, serious issues can develop over time. Protect your vision and eye health by breaking the habit. Next time you feel the urge, try a safer alternative; you will be glad in the future.

Whether you’re a casual tennis player or an elite marathon runner, clear vision and eye protection are essential for all physical activities. If you have a vision impairment, you may find that your regular glasses are more of a hindrance than a help while playing sports. 

There are two main options for vision aids that are suitable for physical activity: specialized sports glasses and contact lenses. Both options have benefits and drawbacks, making the decision between them tricky. 

At Wolcott Optical, we want you to have all the information you need to make smart decisions about your eye health. That’s why we’re presenting this blog post weighing the pros and cons of sports glasses and contacts and giving tips for how to choose the right vision solution for your needs.

The Importance of Vision and Eye Protection in Sports

Vision clarity — including hand-eye coordination and depth perception — is an essential aspect of any sport, from basketball to gymnastics to badminton. Improper eyewear, such as regular eyeglasses, doesn’t just get in your way while you play sports; it can also create safety concerns. 

As you sweat, your glasses slide down your face, which means you’ll be paying more attention to adjusting them than the fast-paced game. This means you may miss a pass or collide with another player while you’re distracted. Sweat can also cause the lenses to fog up, requiring frequent wipe-downs. 

Additionally, when you wear regular glasses, you risk shattering a lens if something comes flying at your face. Not only are broken glasses inconvenient and sometimes costly to fix, but they’re also a safety hazard — nobody wants broken glass in their eye. 

It’s much safer and more convenient to wear an alternative vision aid — but which one is best for you?

Wearing Contacts for Sports

Many athletes choose to wear contacts while playing sports because they’re the closest to wearing nothing at all, making them compatible with helmets and other protective gear. They provide a wider field of vision without obstructions, which is great for sports like soccer and basketball that require peripheral vision. Plus, unlike glasses, they don’t fog up or slip down your nose. 

When you wear contacts, you can also wear protective goggles for a hybrid approach. This makes them a good choice for skiers, snowboarders, and swimmers. 

However, when you wear contact lenses during intense physical activity, you risk losing a lens, taking you out of the game. There’s also the potential for discomfort or dryness, especially in outdoor sports. Furthermore, contacts require proper hygiene and maintenance to avoid infection.

Contact lenses may be the best choice for you if you play a sport that involves a helmet (such as football or cycling), you rely heavily on your peripheral vision, or you already wear contacts in your day-to-day life. 

Specialized Sports Glasses

Specialized sports glasses are another popular choice for athletes. They resemble regular eyeglasses, but with several enhancements that make them more suitable for physical activity. Sports glasses are best for high-impact sports, children, and those who can’t wear contacts. 

The features of sports glasses typically include:

• An adjustable strap to keep them in place
• Additional protection against impact, debris, and UV rays
• Shatterproof lenses
• Ventilation channels to prevent fogging
• Extra cushioning around the nose and rim for enhanced comfort
• No need for direct contact with the eyes, reducing infection risks

Sports glasses aren’t a perfect solution, though. The thicker frames can limit peripheral vision, and they may feel bulky or uncomfortable with some types of helmets. Plus, despite the strap and ventilation, they can still fog up or slip, especially during high-intensity activities. 

How to Decide Which Option Is Right for You

The choice between contacts and sports glasses is an important one, and it should not be taken lightly. As you consider your options, keep these factors in mind:

• Your chosen sport: Do you play a contact sport or an individual sport? Does it take place indoors or outdoors? Are you required to wear a helmet?
• Personal preferences: Are you comfortable with inserting and maintaining contacts? 
• Budget: Contacts come with long-term costs, while sports glasses are a one-time investment. 
• Eye health: If you have allergies, dry eyes, or sensitivity, contact lenses may not be ideal for you. 

Comprehensive Vision Solutions at Wolcott Optical

At Wolcott Optical, we’re dedicated to providing quality vision solutions that meet your unique needs. Visit our store in Millcreek, Utah, to explore a wide range of contacts and eyeglasses and find the perfect solution for you.