Contact Lens Hygiene: Risks of Infrequent Replacement & Eye Health

Nobody likes eye infections or blurry vision, but wearing your contact lenses for too long can cause these problems. The more often you change your contacts, the healthier your eyes and the better your vision will be.

Bacteria Buildup

• Over time your contact lenses are subject to a buildup of lipid, protein and calcium deposits, which can cause eye infections--making regularly cleaning and replacing your contacts necessary for optimal eye health.

Oxygen Deprivation

• Your eyes need to breathe oxygen, but deposits that get stuck to your contact lenses block the oxygen supply.

Dry Eyes

• As your contact lenses age with wear, they lose their moisture, meaning the less frequently you replace your contacts, the drier your lenses and eyes will become.

Performance

• If you don't change your contacts on schedule, bacteria and general wear and tear may degrade their performance, causing reduced vision and discomfort.

Disposable Contacts

• Most modern contact lenses are disposable and intended for only short-term wear. Talk to your optometrist about how long you should be wearing the same pair of contacts before changing them.