Wearing your contact lenses for too long can put you at risk of complications.1 This guide will help you figure out how long you can wear contact lenses, how long is too long, and when it’s time to reach for a fresh pair.
There are several factors that can affect how long you can wear contact lenses. These include:
There are different types of contact lenses, with different wearing schedules. These include:
Lots of people experience dry eyes.2 Symptoms include itchy, sore, or red eyes that can appear watery.2
Dry eyes may be triggered by various factors, such as spending too much time looking at digital screens, as well as air-conditioned or hot environments.2 If you wear contact lenses and your eyes feel dry, speak to your Eye Care Professional as they may recommend an alternative lens or eye drops.
Never allow water to come in to contact with your contact lenses as this can result in serious eye infections.3
Eye specialists from the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust recommend removing contact lenses before swimming and showering.3 They also warn against the dangers of wearing contact lenses in a spa, steam room or during water spots.3
As always, talk to your Eye Care Professional for further advice.
The type of contact lenses you choose often comes down to what wearing time and pattern works best for you. Let’s take a look at the daily, 2-weekly, and monthly contact lens wear times below.
Daily disposable contact lenses are often considered a more convenient option, as they are typically disposed of at the end of the day and replaced with a fresh pair the next day. However, as they need to be replaced each day, daily disposable contact lenses can be more expensive.
Monthly contact lenses are designed as a more affordable long-term option for up to 30 days. But they’ll require more upkeep than daily disposable contact lenses as they’ll need to be stored and cleaned correctly before you wear them again.
2-weekly contact lenses are often considered the medium between monthly and daily disposable contact lenses. They can typically be worn for around 14 days before they need to be replaced. Just like monthly contact lenses, however, 2-weekly contact lenses also require cleaning and disinfecting when removed and stored overnight.
Your Eye Care Professional will advise you how many hours you can wear your contact lenses. It will depend on the type of lens and your eyes. Be sure to follow their advice to help keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.4
Ever found yourself wondering when to change your contact lenses? You’re not alone. Overwear (wearing your contact lenses longer than the recommended period) is a common problem.1
It can increase your risk of contact lens complications.1
Common signs of overwear include:1
If you notice any discomfort or redness, remove your contact lenses and visit your Eye Care Professional.1 Ignoring these signs and continuing to overwear your contact lenses could result in serious complications.1
There are a few tips you can pick up that may help you maintain comfort. These include:
Hygiene is super important when it comes to contact lenses. Caring for your contact lenses properly can help to remove any bacteria and deposits, which could cause serious infections.
Your Eye Care Professional will tell you how to clean your contact lenses and storage case, so it’s important to follow these instructions carefully. Also, never use water to clean your contact lenses and always use the recommended cleaning and disinfecting solution.4 The contact lens case should be changed regularly.
Remove your contact lenses if they feel dry.2
Different contact lenses have different wear and replacement schedules. Your Eye Care Professional will provide guidance on how long you should wear contact lenses and when you need to replace them, so listen closely to avoid any potential discomfort.4
You may not be able to wear contact lenses in areas with dust or fumes.4 If in doubt, speak to your Eye Care Professional. It’s also recommended to always remove your contact lenses whenever you’re showering and swimming.3
Adopting these habits can lead to a more comfortable and healthier contact lens-wearing experience. It’s also important to schedule regular eye tests and follow your Eye Care Professional's recommendations.
All ACUVUE® contact lenses have UV Blocking to help provide protection against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye. UV absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV absorbing eyewear as directed by your optician.
*T&Cs apply: 1 trial per person. 18+. Professional consultation and fitting fees may apply and are not included. Subject to Optician approval. Participating Opticians only. For full terms and conditions see here.
Important Information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® Contact Lenses can be used for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and instructions on proper lens care. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on the Johnson & Johnson website https://www.e-ifu.com/
For any additional information, please visit our ACUVUE® website
https://www.acuvue.com/en-gb/important-safety-information/
References
1 – Optometrists Network. Contact lens overwear syndrome. Available at: https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/optical/guide-to-contact-lenses/common-contact-lens-problems/contact-lens-overwear-syndrome/
2 – NHS. Dry eyes. Last reviewed January 6th 2025. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/dry-eyes/
3 – NHS Royal United Hospitals Bath. Media Release: RUH consultants warn of dangers of swimming while wearing contact lenses. Available at: https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/media/documents/2023_07_24_Contact_Lens_Swimming.pdf
4 – Cleveland Clinic. Contacts. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10737-contacts
