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Disposable Contact Lens
Use
Disposable contact lenses can be a useful option for some
contact lens users, and there seems to be a trend toward
increased use of this type of lens. Even disposable lenses
that are discarded on a daily basis are available,
although most people use the type of lens that is
discarded after 2 weeks. Some reasons and situations for
which disposable lenses may be useful include:
● Rapid deposit formation on
lenses, with or without the development of giant papillary
conjunctivitis.
● Having to
replace contact lenses frequently, whether it be because
of lens deterioration, damage, or the losing of lenses.
● Sensitivity to solutions
used to clean or disinfect lenses.
● Difficulty in finding
another type of lens that is equally comfortable for an
individual.
Some problems associated with
disposable lenses include:
● A higher risk of infection (corneal
ulcer), whether or not the lenses are used extended wear.
● A higher cost than most
lenses. At wholesale cost, the 8 six-pack boxes needed to
replace a lens every two weeks costs about $150 a year.
One may be able to buy 4 sets of daily wear lenses at this
cost.
● A tendency to abuse the use
of the lenses, such as wearing a lens for more than two
weeks, an absence of lens disinfection, and wearing the
lenses in situations not usually recommended, such as
swimming. (These factors may lead to the increased risk of
infection).
● Problems using the lens with
dry eye. Disposable lenses require more eye fluid to keep
them hydrated.
There are definite situations where disposable lenses are
appropriate, and some situations where they should be
avoided. Exercising caution with the use of any contact
lens helps to prevent complications.
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