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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the maximum number of hours I should keep my contacts in?

    I usually put my contacts in the morning when I go to work (6am) and don't get home until past 7pm. Is this normal/healthy? They're often very dry at night and my eyes feel quite tired.
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Andrew Koch

    Optometrist

    Andrew works in Tasmania at Total Eyecare, a group of independent practitioners that is Tasmanian owned.  He is part of a team that includes some of … View Profile

    It is a generally acceptable to wear your contact lenses as long as they are comfortable. This is very individual, as there are many factors that influence contact lens comfort.

    Factors include: Your general health, eye health, the quality of your tears, tear film compatibility with the contact lens material, humidity which is affected by the weather, heating and airconditioning, contact lens fit, how clean the contact lenses are, whether there are protein or lipid deposits on your contact lenses, how clean you contact lens case is, which lens cleaning and storing solution you use etc.

    We generally advise that you should remove your lenses if your eyes are red, sore or blurry. These signs indicate that things are not going well. Always seek advice if your eyes are sore more than 24 hrs after removing your contact lenses. 

    Your eyecare professional can assist you and can often help you to improve your contact lens comfort and wearing time by considering the factors that are limiting your comfort. There are many new contact lens designs and materials that are increasing people's contact lens comfort.

  • Gary Rodney

    Optometrist

    I am a Behavioural Optometrist which means I look at more than just clarity of sight. I specialise in functional and perceptual vision skills that … View Profile

    The length of time is simply dictated by what your eye can handle and the barometer for that is any redness or irritation in the eye.

    Once any redness or irritation appears the lenses should be removed.

    This timespan beyond which this occurs can be increased with the use of ocular lubricants.

  • Gary Rodney

    Optometrist

    I am a Behavioural Optometrist which means I look at more than just clarity of sight. I specialise in functional and perceptual vision skills that … View Profile

    Often your eyes will tire due to a functional vision problem. Please go to www.smartvisionoptometry.com.au to learn more.

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