Leonardo da Vinci first drew the concept of contact lenses in 1508. While da Vinci made illustrations that suggested that a person’s vision could be improved by putting water in contact with the cornea.
Da Vinci tested this theory by filling a bowl with water and placing a man’s face into it. The man reported that he was able to see clearly for the first time in his life.
From there, the first scleral lenses were used in 1888 to correct optical defects and irregularities. After that, scleral lenses were widely manufactured and used. Overnight contact lenses are a newer discovery and aren’t as well-known as daily-wear contact lenses.
With over 45 million people in the U.S. that uses contact lenses, with the majority of them being female, it makes sense that new lenses are constantly hitting the market. With softer lenses currently dominate the market, more and more people are opting to switch to contact lenses.
So, keep reading to find out more about overnight contact lenses and if you should consider using them.
What Are Overnight Contact Lenses?
The idea of using overnight contact lenses as corrective lenses isn’t a new concept. The idea dates back to ancient Chinese practices where people used to sleep with small sandbags over their eyes to correct their eyesight. While this practice was found to be harmful to children, the idea of using an overnight method to correct your vision was born.
Overnight contact lenses are specially-shaped contact lenses that are meant to only be worn at night. These lenses have a different shape when compared to normal contact lenses, as they have more of an upside-down saucer curve to them.
These corrective lenses act as a mold. The lenses put gentle pressure on your eyelids and mold the cornea, flattening the area over the pupil.
The flattening is microscopic, but it changes the angle at which light enters the eye, and it focuses correctly on the back of the retina. Corneas are incredibly elastic and will keep this new molded shape for more than 24 hours. So when you take the contacts out in the morning, you will have 20/20 vision that lasts the whole day.
You simply need to repeat the process every night to keep your sight in tip-top condition.
Why Should I Use Overnight Contact Lenses?
Since the change isn’t permanent, you might wonder why you should use overnight contact lenses instead of wearing contacts during the day. The concept of having clear vision without wearing glasses or contact lenses might seem like a dream come true.
Comfort is one of the main reasons people are switching to overnight contact lenses. Since you’re only wearing contact lenses at night when you’re sleeping, you won’t really ever feel them. You don’t have to worry about your contact lenses falling out during the day or if you’re doing everything right to maintain your contact lenses.
Overnight contact lenses are also a great option for athletes as you no longer need to rely on visual aids during the day. Wearing glasses isn’t an option in many sports, so you have to wear contacts which can be distracting once you start moving around and sweating. Swimmers also greatly benefit from this option as you can’t wear glasses or contact lenses while swimming.
Professionals whose job also requires perfect vision also benefit from using these contact lenses. Pilots and drivers need great vision, and not having to worry about contact lenses or glasses during a shift can be a lifesaver.
While most people might want to get surgery to fix their vision, it isn’t always an option. Not only is surgery an expensive option, but there are risks tied to it. Children also can’t get eye surgery, making these contact lenses the best risk-free option.
How Safe Are Overnight Contact Lenses?
Overnight lenses carry no more risk than any other type of contact lenses.
When it comes to staying safe while wearing contact lenses, hygiene is key. Your optometrist will give you detailed information on how to clean and care for your contact lenses, as well as any precautions you need to take or risks you need to be aware of. As long as you follow the instructions and only use appropriate solutions to clean your contact lenses, everything should be fine.
The most common contact lens complication is corneal staining. This happens when there is tissue disruption and other changes on the corneal surface. Corneal staining can be caused by various things, such as:
- lenses not fitting properly
- foreign bodies entering your eye
- tear film disruption
- irregularities on the edge of a contact lens
- reaction to contact lens solution
Overnight contact lenses do not have a higher risk of corneal staining than other lenses as long as your lenses are fitted by a professional.
Try Overnight Contact Lenses Today
If you’re thinking of trying overnight contact lenses, it’s important to do your research. There are many benefits of wearing contact lenses at night, including being able to see if you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night. Everyone has different contact lens needs, so what works for the majority may not always work for you.
If you are unsure if these contact lenses are right for you, your optometrist will be able to answer any other questions you might have. If you’re looking for an optometrist in the Houston, TX area, contact EZ Opticals today!
