Your optician can tell you about situations or environmental conditions that may be inappropriate for contact lens wear.

Some examples are:

• Exposing contact lenses to water during swimming or while in a hot tub may increase the risk of eye infection from microorganisms.
• Fumes, smoke or vapors should be avoided to reduce the chance of lens contamination.

What are other possible side effects of extended wear contact lenses?

An inflammation of the cornea called infiltrative keratitis is another potential side effect. During the one-year U.S. study about 5% of the 1300 eyes experienced this type of side effect.

Other less serious side effects were conjunctivitis and lid irritation or discomfort while wearing the lenses, including dryness of the eye and mild burning or stinging.