Wearing Disposable Contact Lenses Too Long: Cheap or Frugal?
Posted on October 17, 2007 by Him and tagged cheap, frugal, personal_care
photo: .imelda
I have been nearsighted at least since I was in the third grade; thus I've had glasses at the early age of 9 years old. That pretty much disqualified me from becoming one of the cool kids. Then again, so did directly sitting in front of the television to watch all of those episodes of Tom and Jerry.
When I hit junior high and had an accompanying hormonal response to girls, I desperately wanted contacts. After an appropriate amount of badgering and promising I was responsible enough to take care of them, my parents eventually relented and let me have my first pair of contacts. Back then, contact lenses were to be treated like gold, as disposables were unheard of. I don't know how much my parents paid for my first pair of contacts, but they made me take care of those like a newborn child.
Since then, I've gone though various phases alternating between glasses and contact lenses. Currently I'm in a contact lens phase. Over a year ago, I bought a one-year supply of 2-week disposable contacts. Today, In our bathroom closet I have about half of the order still remaining. You don't need to do the math to figure out that I've been wearing my contact lenses past the recommended two-week period. At this rate, the remaining contacts will last until about another year from now.
I'm fully aware of elevated risks of eye infection by wearing contact lenses too long. I always take them out at night and soak them in solution. My crime is that I wear them for a little over a month before disposing of them. Half of me does this because I'm lazy; the other half does it so that I can make my contacts last longer, thus putting off getting another eye exam, contact lens fitting, and a new supply of contacts.
Am I being cheap or am I being frugal?
For disposable contact lens wearers: do you follow the manufacturer's schedule of disposal, or do you wear yours past that date? Is it to save money or for another reason?
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Illiya | Oct 17, 2007
I dispose every two weeks. I used to forget, but now I do it on my pay day (which is twice a month). I used to wear it longer, but with my job requiring me to stare at the computer all day, I am no longer taking chances in losing what vision I still have.
Janice | Oct 17, 2007
Pardon the pun, but your saving money on contacts is very short sighted. I was a contact lens wearer for 15 years, but haven't been able to wear anything but glasses for the past 5 years. Why? I had the same cheap philosophy, and ultimately developed permanent "bumps" on the inside of my eyelids. Wearing contacts with these bumps causes tremendous pain, worse vision, and conjunctivitis. I'm stuck with glasses for the rest of my life! (Which, on the other hand, is cheaper than glasses, but clearly it's not ALL about money.)
Just my 2 cents.
Ariella | Oct 17, 2007
I consider this both cheap and stupid. One of my close friends did exactly what you're doing and ended up with an infection and corneal abrasions because of it. He can no longer wear contacts because of it.
In terms of the cost, this impacts both the cost of the contacts/glasses, and the medical bills that could stem from the habit. I'd say you should follow the manufacturer's instructions, but then I happily wear my glasses...
I do the same thing too. So far no problems! My wife has to be more diligent with her contacts and cleaning though. We actually use different solution. She has to buy the more expensive stuff, but I can use the store brand. I can buy a 2-bottle pack for the cost of her 1 bottle. So we save lots of money that way!
Derek | Oct 17, 2007
For years I wore my 2-week disposable contact lenses for a month at a time to save money, however, that changed recently after I got a pretty serious eye infection. I'm not certain that the eye infection was necessarily related to wearing my contacts longer, but I haven't had a recurrence since only wearing my contacts for 2-weeks at a time.
I'd like to note that 1. my eyes have always been pretty sensitive to contacts and 2. I did ask my eye doctor about wearing my contacts longer and she said it was okay as long as I was taking them out nightly and cleaning them (which I did).
I think it comes down to the individual: if your eye doctor approves and your eyes seem to do okay wearing contacts for a month at a time, then you can certainly save some money, however, if your eyes don't do so well with wearing your disposable contacts longer, then you're probably going to be spending more money (and time) at the doctor's office.
Cheap, because there's the danger of damage which might cost a lot to replace.
It'd be frugal if such contacts were made to last longer. And if your type of disposables are made to last for 3 weeks, say, without a problem (just like expiration dates are sometimes earlier than they need to be) then go for that.
Smart Girl | Oct 17, 2007
I buy the regular contact lenses and keep them clean, disinfect daily and use the enzyme cleaner twice monthly. This is way cheaper than disposables and much better for my eyes. Because I'm a "water sports girl" (i.e., snorkle and scuba dive) I have disposable that I will wear on vacation.
Your eyes are important - "cheap and frugal" are not the words I would use in the same sentence with eye care products..... You only have two eyes. Long term maintenance is key and following a program recommended by your eyecare provider is the best way to go.
Think of it as flossing - do what is needed everyday and you save later.
justin | Oct 17, 2007
I used to the same thing- stretching them out, but a few years ago switched to the daily contacts. The convenience of simply throwing them out at the end of the day and putting in a new pair the next morning is wonderful. Plus they are thinner so I barely know I am wearing them. If you have the option, I would definitely give them a try. When last I checked they cost about the same as the 2 week ones over time.
Theresa | Oct 17, 2007
Count me in on the infection side of things. I ALWAYS take mine out at night and got a terrible infection. I have monthly disposobles (sp/?) and I religiously now swap them monthly!
Sandy | Oct 17, 2007
I think the two-week schedule is a marketing ploy. I've been wearing the same brand of contacts for years. When I first started, the doctor told me to change them every two months. Then it went to one. Then two weeks. Same brand the entire time. My current doctor said I really should change them once a month, so I try to do that. I think if you don't skimp on the solution and make sure they are well-cleaned every night (and don't wear them while sleeping), you'll be ok for at least a month. I also try to take a break from the contacts and wear my glasses once a week.
Cheap and poor planning. Getting an eye infection (what with the doctor visit and the Rx needed) would wipe out any of the savings you've gotten from this method.
I don't wear contacts, but my wife does. Besides the eye infections, the only downside I really could see is that by prolonging the wait between eye visits, you are possibly not using the best prescription (if your eyes are constantly changing that is).
Anyway, that is my only idea.
I used to wear my disposable lenses for longer than recommended for frugality reasons, however I noticed my eyes were being affected. They felt more irritated & dry, and I just had a few other issues that are a little too gross to discuss here. Once I kept to the 2-week recommended wear time, things cleared up quickly, and I haven't had any more problems.
So wear them longer than recommended at your own risk. I wouldn't bother, they're your eyes! Why take a chance on something bad happening?
CHEAP! You are risking your eye health and seeing for your wallet?
It's not frugal if you could possibly blind yourself.
If it really bugs you, get laser surgery done. It pays for itself in less than 10 yrs vs the cost of glasses. :-P
R. Michael Prince, O.D. | Oct 18, 2007
its bad for you, it doesnt matter if you've had problems before or not. when patients tell me they do this, my response is something like: "i dont change my oil every 3000 miles. i go 6000+ miles. in fact right now its been over 10,000 miles and i dont notice the car driving any differently. i'm saving money!" but it doesnt work that way. i'm causing permanent damage to my engine by driving with dirty/low oil. its the same with contacts. just b/c you think you see well and they dont "bother" you, doesnt mean you're not causing damage. all lenses lose oxygen permeability over the life of the lens. all lenses get surface deposits or denatured protein int he matrix of the lens. those WILL EVENTUALLY cause problems. they always do...i see it literally every single day. just b/c you havent had problems YET doesnt mean you wont. its just a metter of time.
see my blog entry about it:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-wSz1Uw8haa.._wmbA0eEWaW4?p=120
I think you are bing cheap and lazy...lol...but don't worry, my fiance is too - so you can't be that bad, right?
I wear contact Dailies...yep, this means I throw them out everyday. I think it costs me about 50 cents a day and it is worth EVERY PENNY. You only get one set of eyes...treat them right!
My fiance says they'll last a few days longer...why take the chance...
Deena | Oct 18, 2007
I agree with many of the posters. Eyes are too important. I use disposables as well, and I forget to throw them away. When I remember to change them, I can't remember when I last changed them. It's a vicious cycle. But thanks to this post, I'm changing them today.
Mindy | Oct 18, 2007
I love this website and have been following for a few months now. I have yet to leave any comments but couldn't resist this one.
I work at an ophthalmologist's office and fit and dispense contact lenses. I have been doing this for 20 years.
First, and foremost, the recommended replacement schedule is NOT a "marketing ploy"! The reason it has changed is that, over time, we've found out so much about contact lenses and how they interact with the surface of the eye; thus, the changing recommendations. Indeed, when I first started, extended wear (ie: sleeping in lenses) was for 30 days at a time. Oh my, the people that got into serious eye trouble over that one! The recommendation changed to no more than one week (7 days, 6 nights, one night break from the lenses before re-inserting). That changed again to many practitioners no longer believing in sleeping in lenses at all. Now, with some of today's lens materials, one week to four weeks is possible. HOWEVER, the material must be appropriate for this method!
Therefore, listen to what your doctor says about your contacts and don't "stretch them out". Also, don't skip the yearly eye exam even if you have plenty of lenses and your eyes feel "fine." The point of the exam is to check the cornea, the surface that supports that piece of plastic. Your eyes must be checked yearly to see how the eye is tolerating that foreign body. Yes, millions of people tolerate lenses just fine and won't need an adjustment for a loooong time. That is small comfort if you're the one who gets an ulcer or other serious infection and your vision is permanently lost. Yes, I've seen it happen. Fortunately not one of the patients I've fit has ever returned to us with a serious eye infection. I've seen problems from other offices and truly believe the key is educating people about why we ask them to do certain things; it's certainly not for MY eye health! ;)
While I'm at it.....a note about contact lens solutions: you get what you pay for. The "cheap stuff/generic brand/store brand" (whatever you want to call it) usually doesn't clean as well and the relatively higher concentration of preservatives tends to cause ocular irritation over time. Any of these symptoms sound familiar: Red eyes? Dry at the end of the day? Itching? Gets worse the more days you wear the lenses? A brand new pair of lenses feels absolutely wonderful? Two words for you: solution sensitivity. Time to check back with your doctor and find out what you can do.
A note to the RGP wearer: These lenses are another category entirely. Depending on where you live, you may be able to replace your lenses every one to two years. For example, I'm located in the southwest: dry, dry, dry. Lens wearers get a lot more deposits and irritation because of it; overall, the lenses age a lot faster. It also depends on your tear chemistry and how much buildup you get. Overall, RGP contacts are much less porous and don't absorb solutions, bacteria, or deposits like soft lenses do. As long as you check with your doctor at least yearly, you should be fine.
Sorry this is so long, but this is something I lecture about every single day. Invariably, after my lecture and changing their habits, patients tell me how much more comfortable they are.
Final words: Contact lenses are cheap, a new cornea is not.
David | Aug 18, 2008 | Reply to Mindy
I have 2 week disposable contacts, but the thing is, I only wear them when I play basketball with my friends. And that comes down to maybe 3 times a week for about 3 hours a day. All other times, I have my glasses on. With that, is it okay if I wear my contacts a little longer than the 2 week period?
In addition to that question: Is the 2 weeks the time between when I first open a new pair of contacts until 2 weeks later? or is it from the time I first open it until I've worn it for a cumulative of 2 weeks?
Thanks.
I would say it lies more on the cheap side. But as long as you are taking care of the contacts and your eyes aren't suffering, I don't see any problem. I was lucky enough to get lasik last year, but before I had lasik, I had the daily wear contacts. I had to get those because I developed an allergy from wearing the 2-week disposables too long and not taking them out at night.
My fiance also has the two week disposables. At one point the eye doctor required him to not wear contacts for almost six months because he was basically destroying his eyes by not taking his contacts out and wearing them too long.
So, I guess as long as you take them out every night and really clean them, you are fine. Just don't become cheap (or lazy - we were both in college and high school) and have to pay more later because you damaged your eyes.
Tim | Oct 19, 2007
I wore the same set of contacts for months at a time and never had any problems. I always took them out and cleaned them thoroughly & changed them if I saw any "build-up". After wearing contacts for 20+ years, I decided to save my pennies and get lasik. Best money I ever spent.
The manufacturer designed to have my contacts replaced every 2 weeks, but my doctor said I would be alright with 4 weeks. That's the guideline I try to follow. I don;t want to take a chance on my sight.
joe | Oct 19, 2007
May be if on average you go a week over the recommended amount is okay, but 2 weeks over is not. This is definitely bad for your eyes - what is cheap in the short run could prove to be very costly in the long run.
If you want to save money wrt lenses, I would suggest wearing glasses over the weekend at least the parts when you indoors - its good for your eyes to take a break from contacts, and you can have your contacts last longer. This is what I do...
D | Oct 19, 2007
I do the exact same thing; two-week disposables, i stretch them to a month. I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never had any eye infections, fungus, nothing. I just had an eye appointment with a new eye doctor and he said that wearing them for a month is fine as long as I take them out and clean them each evening. My previous eye doctor said the same thing.
Interestingly, though, both of them told me how BAD store brand contact solution was, and that I shouldn't ever even CONSIDER using it.
I wouldn't say that this is "cheap" or "frugal" - if your doctor says it would work for you, it's common sense.
I don't know if it's cheap or frugal, probably cheap but I do the same thing. I've been wearing contacts since middle school, I'm 32 now. I try and take them out every night but sleep in them a lot also. I go to the eye doctor regularly but I still throw them out when they become uncomfortable or if I feel like I've had them in to long. It seems like such a waste to throw them out after a couple weeks. My eye doctor told me they are exactly the same as daily wear contacts, but in an effort to keep your eyes safe, etc.. they suggest throwing them out every two weeks. Sometimes I'll feel guilty if I've kept them in for days so I'll wear my glasses for a couple days to make up for it :)
Neither frugal nor cheap. Stupid fits the bill better... :-)
Look, you only have one pair of eyes, and replacemetns are pretty hard to come by these days. Better keep 'em healthy. Money, you can always make more of later.
My doctor told me, and I quite, "Wear them until they no longer feel comfortable then throw them away." So that's what I do.
Buildandsucceed | Oct 22, 2007
Wow great post and comments... When i first started using them my doctor told me I could sleep with them... SO I got used to that and i used to keep them on for around a month at a time (without taking them out and cleaning!!!)
Then they told me to stop doing that.. It took me a while to listen. I look back at it and how stupid... To this day I still "stretch" and keep the same pair for around a month... But I definitely take them off adn clean them every night and wear my glasses some days too.
After this post I think I'm going to change to the daily's.
At least you don't wear them all night long. I have a friend who does that. I'm concerned he'll have serious eye damage.
I wear glasses most of the time. I read too much. I like the ability of taking my glasses off to read.
I wear contacts for sports. I wear each pair a handful of times before disposing of them. I'm very sensitive to how contacts feel on my eye. I dislike wearing them even 6 hours in a row.
Growing Believer in Christ | Oct 17, 2007
I don't know the manufacturer's schedule, but I do the same thing. I consider it frugal, not cheap.
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