Contact lenses are gaining popularity due to their convenience and ease of use. People looking to move away from eyeglasses are shifting toward contact lenses. Among them, daily disposable contact lenses offer both convenience and aesthetics. Their single-use nature makes them ideal for people seeking a hassle-free and hygienic option.
In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of daily disposable contact lenses and discuss safety concerns.
A] What are Daily Disposable Contact Lenses?
A contact lens that is worn and disposed of daily is known as a daily disposable contact lens. They are also called daily disposables and daily contact lenses. Daily disposable lenses are made from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel, which makes them structurally flexible and thin. Doctors prescribe them to treat various eye conditions, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. They offer a convenient way to enhance one’s eye aesthetics and treat different eye conditions.
B] What Are The Benefits of Daily Contact Lenses?
1. Convenience
Daily disposable contact lenses offer a single-use feature, eliminating the need for cleaning and storing. It lets you go about your day without the hassle of eyeglasses, providing a safe and suitable replacement. With daily contact lenses, you can travel with ease as you don’t need to carry a storage case. You only need to put them in the morning and trash them when you retire from your day or prepare for bed.
2. Easy to Use
Daily contact lenses are made for utmost comfort and ease of use. With their thin and flexible disc design, you can wear them all day long without any easement issues. Their single-use characteristic allows you to wear them off and throw them into a trash bin without any hassle of cleaning and storing them. Also, daily contact lenses offer an intuitive solution for inexperienced people or those who don’t want to go through the contact lens handling intricacies.
3. Flexibility
Due to their single-use characteristics, daily contact lenses offer almost infection-free wearing capabilities compared to other contact lenses. Occasional wearers or people with sensitive eyes can leverage the flexibility of daily contact lenses without needing to clean and store them. Moreover, These lenses are made with flexible water-based plastic material, offering excellent comfort and a natural lens-like feeling.
4. Hygienic
Compared to other contact lenses, daily contact lenses offer almost infection-free wearing capabilities due to their single-use characteristics. The restriction of single-use eliminates most of the contact lens-related challenges, such as infection, and keeps harmful microbes at bay. Whether you are an occasional or regular contact lens wearer, you can trust daily lenses for hygiene without going through the cleaning intricacies.
C] Drawbacks of Daily Contact Lenses
1. Expensive
Daily contact lenses are usually more expensive than monthly or yearly contact lenses. The cost can further add up if you use more than four daily lenses in a week. Though different types of daily lenses are priced separately, the final pricing may vary depending on suggested lens types. However, the price can be offset as daily lenses save you from storing and cleaning expenses.
2. Risks of Eye Infections
Despite the safe and hygienic nature of daily contact lenses, they may pose risks of eye infections. The unavailability of proper eye care and the need to be familiar with appropriate insertion techniques may cause eye irritation or a buildup of microbial contamination. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate contact lens eye care practices to safeguard your eyes from infections.
3. Dry Eyes
Some individuals may experience a reduction in their tear level due to continuous contact lens use. This reduction in tear production causes dry eye syndrome and poses various eye difficulties, such as itching, burning, and discomfort. Therefore, regular daily lens users should indulge in proper eye care practices and use prescribed eye drops to moisturise their eyes.
4. Inserting And Removing Challenges
Inserting and removing lenses daily can be a challenging task for many individuals. It requires time and effort to effectively and securely place daily lenses into their eyes. The inappropriate placement of the lens can cause discomfort and itching. Therefore, it is essential to learn the appropriate insertion and removal techniques for the best experience with daily contact lenses.
D] Daily Contact Lenses: Safe to Use Daily Or Not?
Daily disposable contact lenses are generally safe for daily use. Due to their convenience and ease of use, they are widely preferred by many individuals. However, using daily lenses for extended periods may pose risks of infections, irritation, burning, and other associated discomforts. Therefore, it is essential to follow the recommended wearing practices to mitigate any complexity buildups. In addition, give your eyes a break from contact lenses and let them heal from minor infections or damage. Also, consult your optometrist periodically for regular eye exams.
Conclusion
Daily disposable contact lenses offer a convenient way to remove eyeglasses and enhance facial aesthetics. However, every contact lens has its benefits and drawbacks, and so do daily disposable contact lenses. Practising appropriate eye care and following proper hygiene practices can surely elevate your experience with them.
Arohi Eye Clinic is the best eye hospital in Mumbai. We offer cost-effective solutions for people who want to wear contact lenses. Book your appointment with us today!
Also, if you are looking for a more permanent solution, laser eye surgery is a good option. You can read more about it in our blog, LASIK vs. Glasses And Contact Lenses .
FAQs
1. Is it Safe to Wear Contact Lenses Every Day?
Wearing contact lenses regularly is safe, given that eye care and hygiene practices recommended by your optometrist are followed. If you reside in Mumbai, you can visit our contact lens clinic for more information.
2. Does Sleeping with Contact Lenses Lead to Serious Eye Problems?
Yes, sleeping with contact lenses for extended periods may cause you some serious eye problems, such as ulcers, infections, or even vision impairment.
3. Can I swim or shower while wearing daily contact lenses?
No, you can not swim with your daily contact lenses on. Water can be problematic for contact lenses and may cause eye infections or other associated complexities.
4. Do daily contact lenses help reduce eye infections?
Due to their single-use characteristics, daily contact lenses reduce the chances of getting eye infections compared to other contact lenses.
5. Do daily contact lenses require a lot of maintenance?
No, they don’t require a lot of maintenance due to single-use characteristics.
Dr. Shradha Goel
Dr. Shradha Goel, Chief Surgeon at Arohi Eye Hospital, is a renowned Phaco-LASIK surgeon with over 10,000 surgeries to her credit. She earned her MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and a Master’s in Ophthalmology from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. As a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Goel specialises in LASIK, refractive errors, and cataract treatments.