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The recession has hit many parts of the world, including the UK, very hard. As prices continue to increase, the average wage packet of the average man or woman seems destined to stay at the same rate for the near future, with most people and families having to watch every penny as its worth drops, seemingly week by week. It therefore comes as no surprise that a recent survey shows that contact lens wearers in the UK are squeezing every last drop of moisture and use out of their lenses before they replace them. It is well known that the average consumer doesn't follow manufacturers recommendations to the letter when it comes to the use and maintenance of their contact lenses, but this study may just make us question whether this stretching of a lens' worth is to do with ignorance or finance.
Following another recent study into the way we look after and use contact lenses, this new research, carried out by Bausch + Lomb, shows that ignorance may continue to the wearing of lenses as well as the care of them:
2000 adults surveyed regarding the use of their contact lenses
- 50% wear lenses for up to 7 hours longer than they are recommended to
- 20% wear lenses for up to 24 hours longer than recommended
- Wearers over the age of 55 more likely to wear their lenses for longer than recommended
- 95% of contact lenses wearers aged 55 and over have worn their lenses for longer than recommended
Now whether or not these statistics are due to simply ignorance or a mentality to get the most for their money is unclear. What is clear however, is that either way consumers who are wearing their contact lenses for longer than they should be are putting the health of their eyes at risk, something which in the long run could become a very expensive problem should eye infections occur.
While the occasional lapse in time management is understandable and normally without consequence, continued time abuse of contact lenses can in turn cause wearers to suffer from discomfort in their eyes, with itching eyes a common complaint. More worrying symptoms include bloodshot eyes and blurred vision. It is important to also remember the damage a dehydrated lens can cause to the eye itself, with instances of contact lenses physically sticking to the eye ball not uncommon.