What are overnight contact lenses?

Have you ever wished you had a fairy godmother who could wave a magic wand and give you perfect vision for a whole day without having to wear contacts or glasses? Well, guess what? That's what overnight contact lenses do - and without turning your dog into a footman.

Regular contacts correct your vision while you're wearing them, but overnight contact lenses change your vision ... for one day, anyway (or until the clock strikes twelve, sort of thing).

Understanding overnight contact lenses 

While overnight contact lenses seem to work like magic, there's cool science behind the process. This method of vision correction dates back to the ancient Chinese custom of sleeping with sandbags on the eyes (little, tiny ones, don't worry).

Definition and types 

Orthokeratology is the process of correcting vision using special lenses, usually called ortho-k lenses. "Ortho" means "straight" and "keratology" is related to the cornea. 

So, they're kind of like braces for your eyes, except your teeth could move back after two days (but become straight again overnight!).

How they work 

Vision problems, such as far- and near-sightedness, happen because of the way the cornea is shaped. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped area that refracts light before it gets to your pupil, and it's very bendy.

Overnight contact lenses indent the "summit" of the cornea, flattening it, like if you pushed the bottom of a bowl down on a balloon. Once the cornea is flattened like this, it takes a day or two to regain its previous shape.

Benefits of using overnight contact lenses 

The benefits seem pretty obvious. You put in your overnight contact lenses, go to sleep, and bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, you wake up with perfect vision. How cool is that?

Improved vision without daytime lenses 

While you still have to wear contact lenses, you won't notice because you're asleep the whole time (they're the contacts of your dreams). No lenses are needed during the day.

Some studies have even found that overnight lenses actually help reduce nearsightedness (myopia) in children.

Convenience and comfort 

Because overnight lenses are the gas-permeable type, sleeping in them might take some getting used to. However, nothing is more comfortable than not having to wear contacts during the day.

Suitability for certain lifestyles 

They're especially helpful for certain people and professions. Athletes, pilots, and drivers can enjoy perfect vision without glasses or contacts.

Allergy sufferers and people with issues with dry eyes can have an easier time, too. And princesses, let's not forget princesses.

Potential drawbacks and considerations

You're probably thinking that there must be a catch. Well, you might be glad to know there really isn't one. 

Side effects and risks 

Experts say there's no more infection risk with corneal reshaping lenses than regular overnight contacts and wearing them long-term won't harm your cornea.

Cost comparison 

The bulk of the cost of overnight lenses is the initial process of coming up with the right prescription. However, because lenses only need to be replaced every one to two years, you save the cost of daily lenses over time - because you didn't have to buy them.

While many consider the initial costs to be a bit pricey, some insurance policies may have partial or full coverage for overnight lenses.

Caring for your overnight contact lenses 

Yes, you should care for them, very deeply. They're special, and you should try to make them feel that way.

Cleaning and maintenance 

Take the same approach for cleaning and maintenance with these babies as you would with any other lenses: wash your hands, don't rinse the lenses with water, etc. They're still contact lenses (but magic ones).

When to replace them 

Though it'll be hard to say goodbye after caring for them for so long, you can't keep wearing them (happily) forever (after). When you start to see a buildup of protein and debris, it's time for new lenses.

Choosing the right overnight contact lenses

Your best bet is to check with an eye care professional trained in ortho-k vision correction about which overnight lenses are right for you. They do all the measuring and hocus pocus right there in the office to make sure you get the right fit.

Discover the magic of overnight contact lenses

Overnight contact lenses are like a glass slipper that helps you enter a world where you can see happily without wearing contacts or glasses. You don't even need a fairy godmother to get them — just your trusty eye care professional. 

In the meantime, you can find your preferred brand of regular, non-magical contact lenses right here at 1-800 Contacts.

FAQs 

Can anyone wear overnight contact lenses? 

Overnight contact lenses correct most types of vision issues. However, consult with an eye care professional to make sure you're a suitable candidate.

How long does it take to see results? 

Some see their vision corrected after the first night, while with others, it can take up to two weeks.

What happens if I stop wearing them? 

Your vision will start to be somewhat blurry after around 36 hours and return to your previous uncorrected vision after about 48 hours.