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Can You Wear Daily Contacts More than Once?

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Daily disposable lenses are a convenient, hassle-free way to experience sharp vision, hence their popularity among long-time contact lens wearers

Unlike biweekly or monthly contacts, daily lenses cannot be reused. Their ultra-delicate and breathable design isn’t durable enough for repeated wear, cleaning, and handling. 

Reusing daily contact lenses can increase the risk of micro-tears, protein buildup, and debris accumulation, risking irritation and infection.   

All About Daily Contacts

Daily disposable contact lenses, often referred to as “dailies,” are single-use soft lenses designed to be worn for one day and discarded afterward. 

Like all contacts, dallies offer corrective solutions for refractive errors. Once placed over the cornea, these lenses redirect incoming light to focus directly on the retina, offering sharper vision. 

Unlike lenses with longer replacement schedules (e.g., biweekly or monthly), dallies aren’t stored or reused. Their no-fuss design makes them ideal for those who prefer the convenience of these low-maintenance contacts. 

Dallies are made from ultra-thin, breathable materials like hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. These materials allow for high oxygen permeability, keeping your eyes healthy by confirming they receive enough oxygen throughout the day. 

However, this design has its tradeoffs. 

The thin and lightweight materials make these lenses incredibly soft and flexible but also less durable. Therefore, daily disposables aren’t built to withstand repeated handling, cleaning, or extended wear. 

Benefits of Daily Contacts

The convenience and comfort provided by daily disposables make them a popular choice among contact lens wearers. Some of these benefits include: 

  • Ultimate hygiene: These lenses are disposed of after one use, significantly reducing the risk of contamination or infections caused by improper cleaning or storage.
  • No cleaning routine: Dailies eliminate the need for storage cases and disinfectant solutions, meaning users don’t have to worry about soaking or cleaning lenses overnight. Plus, you don’t have to worry about replacing the cleaning solution and storage container every 3-months. 
  • Enhanced comfort: Since a fresh new pair is worn each day, there’s no build-up of protein deposits or allergens, reducing irritation and the risk of infection, while providing a consistently comfortable experience. 
  • Great for special occasions: Since dailies can be used without commitment or maintenance required by other types of contacts, these are great for those who wear contact lenses occasionally or for special occasions. 
  • Suitable for dry eyes: Their ultra-thin and breathable design provides better moisture retention for adequate hydration than other soft contacts. Plus, a fresh pair of lenses minimizes the risk of protein buildup and debris accumulation.
An optometrist explains why daily disposable lenses can't be reused during a contact lens fitting.

Why Daily Contacts Shouldn’t Be Reused

It may be tempting, but just because daily contacts can be reused, doesn’t mean they should. 

Once you’ve worn daily disposable contacts, even for just a few hours they must be thrown away because of a few reasons: 

  • Fragility: Dailies’ delicate design means they degrade quickly once worn. Attempting to use them again can lead to tears or breaks in the lenses, and uneven surfaces, reducing comfort and visual clarity. 
  • Hygiene risks: Daily lenses aren’t made to withstand cleaning or disinfection. Reusing lenses may introduce bacteria or fungi, increasing the risk of eye infections. 
  • Moisture loss: Daily contacts come pre-packaged with a sterile saline solution that keeps them moist and comfortable. After one use, they lose their moisture-retaining properties, becoming dry and uncomfortable. Re-soaking them in contact lens solution may cause micro-tears. 

Ultimately, reusing daily disposable contact lenses isn’t safe and can increase the risk of: 

  • Eye irritation: Worn lenses may develop microscopic tears or deposits we can’t even see, irritating the eye’s surface. 
  • Corneal ulcers: Prolonged exposure to bacteria from unclean lenses can cause painful infections that lead to corneal ulcers.
  • Red or dry eyes: Dehydrated lenses can disrupt your eyes’ natural tear film, leading to redness or dryness.
  • Impaired vision: Deposits that accumulate on reused lenses can lead to blurry or distorted vision, meaning you don’t experience the vision correction you expect. 

How Long Can Daily Contacts Be Worn?

Even if you’ve only worn daily lenses for a few hours, they cannot be re-used.

Daily disposable lenses are typically designed for 8–16 hours of continuous wear, depending on your eye’s sensitivity and the specific lens brand. 

Always follow the wear time recommended by your optometrist or the product guidelines. Wearing daily lenses longer than the recommended duration can lead to dryness, discomfort, and oxygen deprivation for your cornea.

Once your day or special event is over, it’s time to discard the lenses, even if they still appear clean and feel fresh. When it comes to eye health, it’s not worth taking shortcuts. 

Alternatives to Daily Contacts

If daily contact’s delicate and disposable design doesn’t suit your needs, plenty of excellent alternatives offer similar levels of comfort, convenience, and flexibility. 

Biweekly or Monthly Contact Lenses

As long as users don’t mind the extra steps for lens care, biweekly or monthly contact lenses are a great way to reduce lens waste or keep overall costs down. 

They are made from more durable materials and can be worn repeatedly for 14 or 30 days, as long as they are properly cleaned and stored in fresh solution after every use. 

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses

Ortho-K lenses are specialized, hard contact lenses that offer a temporary, non-surgical alternative for vision correction. 

These lenses are designed for overnight wear, where they gently reshape the curvature of the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. 

Unlike daily disposables, ortho-k lenses require meticulous cleaning and disinfection routines to prevent irritation and risk of infection and maintain lens performance and eye health.

Backup Glasses 

For those who occasionally need another option, a stylish pair of glasses serves as a great backup when you don’t wish to wear your contacts. 

Glasses require no cleaning, eliminate risks associated with lens wear, and are an excellent way to give your eyes a break from contacts.

Schedule a Visit

Daily contacts are designed to simplify your life while prioritizing your eye health. Reusing them may seem like a harmless shortcut, but isn’t worth the risks.

Connect with our team at Park Slope Eye to schedule a fitting for your contact lenses! 

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  • Written by Justin Bazan

    Dr. Justin Bazan is a 2004 SUNY College of Optometry graduate. He established Park Slope Eye in 2008 with the goal of providing high quality eyecare and incredible eyewear for the neighborhood. He has a true passion for optometry and stay up to date with the current research and trends. He is active in the profession and holds several leadership positions on the local, state and national levels. Dr. Bazan is a Park Slope local and can often be seen out in the neighborhood so be sure to say Hi next time you see him!

    More Articles by Justin Bazan

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