How Long Can You Wear Your Contact Lenses For? And Other Common Questions Answered (2025)

When it comes to correcting your vision, eyeglasses aren't the only option you have. Over the years, contact lenses, which are thin, clear plastic discs that can be inserted into the eyes, have become a go-to alternative. These are light to wear, do not have frames that obstruct view, and most importantly, give a very natural look. Contacts can help with various eye problems, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision). Additionally, they can help treat certain eye conditions and diseases, such as for people who have had cataract surgery but did not receive lens implants.

However, for those considering contact lenses or currently using them, it’s essential to keep a few key factors in mind, especially the duration of wear. Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions by contact lens users.

Also Read:Why You Should Never Shower Wearing Contact Lenses: Understanding The Dangers

What Is The Risk Of Wearing Contact Lenses For Too Long?

In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Supriya Samak Sriganesh, Ophthalmologist and the Executive Director of Nethradhama Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., discusses some of the risks associated with contact lens use for long hours.

She says, "Wearing contact lenses for too long can have several detrimental effects on your eye health. The longer you wear them, the higher you are prone to chances of developing an eye infection. Using them for too long can damage the cornea epithelium, resulting in open sores and corneal abrasions. Through this, your vision can be affected, followed by transmission of infection. Insufficient flow of oxygen to the eye, also known as hypoxia, can take place. This could result in inflammation and abnormalities in the eye by leaving your vision to be damaged permanently."

She further adds that extended use can cause bacteria to accumulate under the lens, which can lead to symptoms that start with irritation. She particularly warns against going to bed with contact lenses on (even if they are made for extended wear).

A very recentstudy conducted in Alexandria, Egypt, investigated the factors contributing to contact lens-related keratitis, a condition characterised by an inflammation of the cornea, or the clear dome that covers the coloured part of the eye. Among 245 contact lens wearers, 20.4% had non-microbial keratitis and 18.8% had microbial keratitis. Sharing contact lenses and eye trauma were significant risk factors for both types of keratitis. Wearing contact lenses for more than 12 hours or overnight was found to increase the risk of non-microbial keratitis by four times.

Therefore, it is extremely crucial to follow the doctor's instructions regarding the wearing time, how to clean it, and preserving the same in storing solutions.

What Is The Recommended Duration For Wearing Contact Lenses?

According to Dr Sriganesh, there is no hard and fast rule for how long you should wear daily contact lenses, and the amount of time can vary depending on the user as well as the type of lenses.

However, she notes that using contact lenses for over a period of 10-12 hours is not recommended, advising to take a break and let the eyes get some fresh air.

Precautions Every Contact Lens User Should Take

To safely wear contact lenses, you should take the following precautions:

• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before touching your contact lenses.
• Don't wear your contact lenses while swimming, showering, or in the presence of water like lakes, rivers, or oceans.
• Cleanse, rinse, and disinfect your contact lenses.
• Regularly replace your contact lens case, even if you clean it properly.
• Unless your eye doctor approves extended-wear contacts, don't sleep in your lenses.

If you experience redness, pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity, seek medical attention and only use contact lenses that are approved by medical professionals and prescribed by a licensed eye care practitioner.

"It is advisable to include contacts and travel-sized solutions in your carry-on, whether you are travelling with checked luggage or just your carry-on. Make sure the cleaning solution doesn’t get warm, i.e., above 30°C. Contact lenses should be stored in a cold place to prevent damage. Opt for lukewarm water to clean your lenses," says Dr Sriganesh.

How To Care For Your Contacts

Since the contact lens is in direct contact with the eye, cleaning and maintenance are of utmost importance, emphasises Dr Sriganesh. After wearing contact lenses, always clean them thoroughly—never use tap water, as it isn’t sterile. Instead, rinse your lenses with a saline solution, and clean both the lenses and their storage case with a recommended cleaning solution to maintain hygiene.

Other recommendations include: Each month, add a fresh solution to your contact lens storage case to maintain optimal hygiene. Keep the top of the cleaning solution bottle free from any contaminants, and avoid touching it with your fingers or contact lenses. Never use a cleaning solution past its expiration date. After removing your lenses, clean them thoroughly before placing them back in the case, ensuring they’re always stored in a clean, appropriate container. Replace the storage solution after each use to keep it germ-free and maintain the health of your lenses.