What Can Happen If I Wear My Disposable Contacts Beyond Their Daily- Or Extended-Wear Time Periods?

Dr. Colby answers the question: 'Overtime Use Of Disposable Contacts?'

ByABC News
December 23, 2008, 5:52 PM

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: What can happen if I wear my disposable contacts beyond their daily- or extended-wear time periods?

Answer: Well, I have to tell you, we really don't recommend that people wear extended-wear contact lenses overnight. It is a convenience, but the risk of infection goes up dramatically when you wear contact lenses overnight. There are so many good daily disposable products out there now that for patients who can wear those lenses, that's really what we recommend as being the safest way. In terms of problems that can develop, it can be something as simple as waking up with red and uncomfortable eyes or something as serious as a vision-threatening corneal infection.