Contacts And Sleep: Cdc Issues Stern Warning

Sleeping in your contact lenses can increase your risk of developing an eye infection by six to eight times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This risk occurs regardless of your lens type and whether you wear them overnight or for a nap. The CDC has warned against this behaviour, which is one of the riskiest and most commonly reported among adolescent and adult contact lens wearers.

The risk of eye infection increases six to eightfold

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning against sleeping in contact lenses, stating that it increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. This elevated risk applies regardless of the type of contact lenses worn, be it soft, hard, decorative, or prescription lenses.

The high risk of infection is due to the reduced oxygen and moisture levels reaching the cornea when contact lenses are worn overnight. The cornea, which typically defends against bacteria and other contaminants, becomes more vulnerable to infection when deprived of adequate oxygen and hydration. This condition, known as hypoxia, impairs the cornea's ability to fight off bacteria effectively.

The consequences of sleeping in contact lenses can be severe, including serious eye infections that may lead to corneal damage, surgery, and even permanent vision loss in rare cases. Bacterial keratitis, for instance, is a type of eye infection that can cause partial or complete vision loss if not properly treated. Other types of infections include Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by an amoeba commonly found in water sources, and fungal keratitis, which is more prevalent in tropical regions.

Additionally, sleeping in contact lenses increases the likelihood of microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation caused by infection. This risk is over five times higher, regardless of the lens type. Poor contact lens hygiene, such as rinsing lenses in water instead of contact solution or not disinfecting the lens case, further elevates the chances of infection.

To summarise, the CDC's warning highlights the significant health risks associated with sleeping in contact lenses. By depriving the cornea of oxygen and moisture, this practice increases the susceptibility to eye infections, which can have serious and potentially permanent consequences for vision. Therefore, it is crucial for contact lens wearers to remove their lenses before sleeping and to practice proper lens hygiene to minimise the risk of infection.

Infections can lead to corneal damage, surgery and vision loss

The CDC warns against sleeping in your contacts as it increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. While this may not always lead to serious eye infections, in some cases, it can cause permanent corneal damage, and even vision loss.

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue layer at the front of your eye. It protects the inside of your eyes from the outside world, much like a car's windshield. When damaged, the cornea can develop imperfections that make it more susceptible to infections and other issues.

Corneal damage can lead to corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea. Infections are the leading cause of corneal ulcers, and they can result in permanent eye damage, low vision, and even blindness, especially if left untreated. The risk of developing a corneal ulcer is 100 times higher for those who sleep in their contact lenses compared to those who do not wear contacts at all.

Infections that can occur due to sleeping in contacts include bacterial keratitis, acanthamoeba keratitis, and fungal keratitis. Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be found on the human body and in the environment. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a tiny, single-celled organism called Acanthamoeba, which can be found in natural bodies of water, tap water, and heating and air conditioning systems. Those who wear contacts while swimming or rinsing their lenses in tap water are at a higher risk of this infection. Fungal keratitis is caused by fungi, with the most common types being Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida species. It is more common in tropical areas but can occur in any climate.

To prevent eye infections and corneal damage, it is important to practice good contact lens hygiene. This includes cleaning and disinfecting lenses properly, washing hands before handling contacts, and avoiding wearing contacts while sleeping or swimming.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare infection that can be caused by sleeping in contacts

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare and vision-threatening parasitic infection that can be caused by sleeping in contact lenses. It occurs when the Acanthamoeba amoeba infects the cornea, the transparent outer covering of the eye. While the infection is rare, it can lead to severe pain and permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, free-living amoeba that can be found in water, soil, dust, and various water sources, including tap water, hot tubs, pools, lakes, and rivers. It is one of the most common organisms in the environment, and while it rarely causes infection, it can be dangerous when it does.

The risk factors for Acanthamoeba keratitis include contact lens wear, exposure to the organism through contaminated water, and corneal trauma. Poor contact lens hygiene, such as using tap water to clean and disinfect lenses, swimming or showering with contacts, and failing to follow lens care instructions, can increase the risk of infection.

The CDC warns that sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of developing eye infections by six to eight times. This is because the cornea needs adequate hydration and oxygen to function healthily. Contacts reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture the eyes can access, and during sleep, this decrease becomes more severe. The reduced oxygen levels impair the cornea's ability to fight bacteria, making it more susceptible to infection.

The symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis can be similar to those of other more common eye infections and can differ from person to person. They include sensitivity to light, a sensation of having something in the eye, excessive tearing, blurred vision, and red, irritated eyes. The infection can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and it may require a long regimen of medicated eye drops or even surgery.

To prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis and other eye infections, it is important to practice proper contact lens hygiene. This includes washing hands before handling lenses, removing lenses before showering or swimming, cleaning and rinsing lenses with contact lens solution, and storing lenses properly.

Proper contact lens hygiene is important to avoid infections

Contact lenses are a safe and effective form of vision correction, used by an estimated 45 million Americans. However, it is important to practice proper contact lens hygiene to protect yourself from infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that sleeping in your contact lenses makes you six to eight times more likely to get an eye infection.

When you sleep with your contacts in, your risk of an eye infection increases significantly. In serious cases, these infections can cause permanent corneal damage and vision loss. The cornea needs hydration and oxygen to function healthily, but contact lenses cut off the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. While you sleep, this decrease becomes even more severe, and the cornea loses its ability to fight bacteria effectively.

Sleeping in your contacts could result in serious eye conditions such as bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria found on the human body and in the environment. Acanthamoeba keratitis is another possible infection, caused by an amoeba that can be found in water sources including tap water, hot tubs, pools, lakes, and rivers. This type of infection often occurs at the same time as a microbial eye infection, so if you've been rinsing your contacts in tap water, swimming in them, and sleeping in them, you may be at risk.

Fungal keratitis is another possible infection, which is most common in regions with mild temperatures and tropical weather. Sleeping in contacts increases the risk of this infection, but it usually occurs when there has also been some kind of eye trauma involving a plant, branch, or stick.

To avoid these infections, it is important to practice proper contact lens hygiene. This includes:

• Not sleeping in contacts
• Washing your hands before handling contacts
• Cleaning contacts with a disinfecting solution
• Replacing the contact lens case with new contact solution, rather than topping off old solution
• Avoiding water to keep out germs and bacteria
• Cleaning the contact lens case and replacing it every three months

By following these hygiene practices, you can protect your eyes from serious infections and ensure the safe use of contact lenses.

Contact lens wearers are at risk of eye infections, especially with improper care

Contact lens wearers are at a significantly heightened risk of developing eye infections if they sleep in their lenses. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doing so increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. This is because the cornea, the eye's clear outer layer, needs access to oxygen in the air. Contact lenses can make it harder for oxygen to reach the cornea, potentially damaging the surface cells, or epithelial cells.

Repeated overnight wear of contact lenses can lead to a worsening of this problem, as the cornea can begin to break down and become vulnerable to bacteria. Soft contacts, in particular, can cling on to debris or bacteria that gets into the eye throughout the day, and if they are not cleaned frequently, this can lead to infections.

The CDC presented six cases of patients who slept in their contact lenses and developed keratitis, a type of corneal infection. Most of these patients suffered permanent eye damage or vision loss. However, it is important to note that these cases may not be representative of typical infections associated with contact lenses, as they were chosen by ophthalmologists who can perform eye surgery.

Even occasional or accidental sleeping in contact lenses can increase the risk of infection, regardless of the lens material and frequency of wear. Proper contact lens hygiene is crucial to preventing eye infections. This includes not sleeping in contacts, washing hands before handling contacts, cleaning contacts with disinfecting solution, replacing the contact lens case with new solution, avoiding water to keep out germs and bacteria, and cleaning and replacing the case every three months.

By following these hygiene practices, contact lens wearers can help protect their eye health and reduce the risk of developing serious eye infections.

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