How proper eye care can help you save money

Saving money is on everyone’s mind in these uncertain economic times. There are several areas where small changes can mean real savings: carpooling to work, packing a sack lunch and a cup of coffee brewed from home instead of heading out. But when saving a few dollars comes at the expense of your health, the long-term risks far outweigh any short-term benefits. This is the case with contact lenses.

While wearing your contact lenses for longer than your prescription allows may seem like an easy way to save some money, it can have detrimental effects on eye health.

Contact lenses are a medical device and should be treated as such, in accordance with the recommendations of your eye care professional. Wearing contact lenses for too long can cause abnormal blood vessel growth in the cornea; epithelial microcysts; thinning of the cornea; and reduced corneal sensitivity.

Eye problems caused by overuse of contact lenses are usually due to decreased oxygen delivered to the eye. Oxygen is essential for the health of the cornea. When the eye does not absorb enough oxygen through the contact lens, hypoxic conditions occur. Hypoxia can lead to serious infections, including microbial keratitis, a painful and potentially sight-threatening infection of the cornea.

Eye infections and other problems that arise from improper contact lens care can be very costly: medical bills and lost work days, not to mention the inconvenience and quality-of-life impact of vision problems. In 1990, researchers estimated that the cost of blindness and visual impairment to the US federal budget was approximately $4 billion.

Risks and best practices

Contact lenses have been around for over 100 years, and while significant advances have been made in that time, the risks and side effects associated with wearing them remain a reality.

A contact lens is a foreign object to the eye. If the lens does not fit properly or is not cared for properly, it can negatively affect vision and the eye itself.

The most common problems associated with contact lens wear are excessive tearing, itching or burning, dryness, sensitivity to light, and distorted vision. All of these symptoms can be made worse by improper lens care, including wearing them too long.

Sometimes a contact lens wearer will wear them until their vision becomes blurry or distorted, and they may not realize that this behavior can cause permanent and irreversible damage to the cornea, the front covering of the eye that provides about two-thirds of the focusing power of the eye.

When contact lens wearers ignore their lens cleaning and replacement schedules, the ability of their contact lenses to transmit oxygen to the cornea is diminished and deposits build up on the lens surface and within the lens material itself.

Continued wear of lenses with protein deposits can lead to infections, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and potentially serious long-term hypoxic changes such as progressive myopia, corneal thinning, and chronic low-grade corneal edema.

Cutting corners with contact lens care can result in temporary and, in some cases, permanent eye damage. However, contact lens wearers who properly maintain and care for their lenses benefit greatly.

Although there are several types of contact lenses that are approved for continuous wear for up to 30 days, this program is not appropriate for everyone. Wearing lenses at night reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the cornea. This reduction in oxygen uptake can damage the surface of the cornea, allowing germs and bacteria to grow more quickly.

Everyone’s eyes are different and respond differently to contact lenses. It is important to discuss a program that best suits your individual needs with your ophthalmologist.

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