Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping in daily contacts can have adverse effects on your eyes. It can cause dryness, redness, irritation, blurred vision, and an increased risk of eye infections. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. When you sleep, your eyes make fewer tears, and contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the oxygen supply to the cornea. This can lead to corneal damage, including swelling and a higher risk of infections. Proper contact lens hygiene is essential, including removing them before sleep and cleaning them as directed by your eye doctor. While accidental naps with contacts on may not be a significant concern, making it a habit can have negative consequences for eye health and vision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Six to eight times higher |
| Oxygen deprivation | Hypoxia |
| Corneal damage | Bacterial keratitis, corneal scarring, corneal transplant |
| Dryness | Dehydration |
| Irritation | Redness, pain |
| Loss of vision | Temporary or permanent |
| Corneal ulcers | Caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites |
| Conjunctivitis | Also known as pink eye |
| Corneal hypoxia | Lack of oxygen to the cornea |
| Corneal nerve sensation | Decreased |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping in daily contacts can have adverse effects on your eyes, including an increased risk of eye infection. While you are awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. When you sleep, your eyelids move, putting pressure on your eyes and causing the lenses to shift out of place. This can trap the lenses in unusual positions, leading to irritation, discomfort, scratches, and other injuries to your eye.
The reduction in oxygen to the cornea, known as hypoxia, can lead to corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can cause vision impairment or loss if not treated quickly. Additionally, the lack of oxygen and hydration makes it harder for your eyes to fight off bacterial or microbial invasions, increasing the risk of eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. Studies have shown that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of infection by six to eight times, regardless of the type of lens used.
Acanthamoeba keratitis, a microbial eye infection, can occur if you sleep in your contacts, especially if you have been rinsing them in tap water or swimming in them. This condition requires a long regimen of medicated eye drops, and if left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Fungal keratitis is another potential infection, which is most common in regions with mild and tropical weather. It is important to treat fungal keratitis quickly, as it can also cause vision loss if left untreated.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your daily contacts in, it is important to remove them as soon as possible and let your eyes recover for a day before wearing lenses again. You can gently massage your eyes to get some moisture moving and then nudge the lenses out. To prevent eye infections, practice good contact lens hygiene and see a doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection.
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Heightened risk of corneal ulcers
Sleeping in daily contacts can have adverse effects on your eyes. One of the risks is the development of corneal ulcers.
Corneal ulcers are open sores on the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue layer at the front of the eye. They can be caused by various factors, but they usually result from infections. The cornea, being delicate and responsible for clear sight, can be permanently damaged by corneal ulcers, leading to vision impairment or even blindness if left untreated.
Contact lens wearers are about 10 times more likely to develop corneal ulcers than non-lens wearers. However, the risk increases significantly, by about 100 times, when contact lenses are worn overnight. This heightened risk is due to the decrease in oxygen and moisture reaching the eyes during sleep, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth and infection.
The risk of corneal ulcers is further exacerbated by the extended wear of contact lenses. The longer contact lenses are worn, especially beyond their intended lifespan, the higher the chances of bacterial growth and subsequent infection, which can lead to corneal ulcers. Therefore, daily contact lenses are generally safer in this regard.
Additionally, improper disinfection of contact lenses can also contribute to the development of corneal ulcers. Effective disinfection practices, such as rubbing the lenses with solution and rinsing them thoroughly, are crucial in preventing bacterial and fungal infections that may lead to corneal ulcers.
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Dry, painful, or red eyes
Sleeping in contact lenses can cause dry, painful, or red eyes. This is because contact lenses can absorb the natural moisture in your eyes, making your eyes feel uncomfortable. When you sleep in contact lenses, this problem can become worse because your eyes are closed and there is no airflow, exacerbating dry eye symptoms and causing further irritation, redness, and even infection.
Contact lenses can also become dislodged or move around while you sleep, which can cause blurriness or discomfort when you wake up. In some cases, it could also lead to more serious vision problems, such as scratches or injuries to the eye. Additionally, contact lenses can become dirty or contaminated while you sleep, which can affect your vision the next day.
Sleeping in contact lenses can also increase your risk of developing eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. According to one study, wearing contacts overnight raised the relative risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times. Sleeping with contacts can increase your chance of contracting an infection by six to eight times, according to the CDC. Other possible infections include fungal keratitis, bacterial keratitis, and corneal ulcers.
If you experience persistent eye pain, redness, or irritation after sleeping in your contact lenses, it is recommended to consult an eye doctor immediately. To prevent eye irritation or damage, it is important to handle the issue carefully when waking up with contact lenses that are not meant for overnight wear. Before removing the contact lenses, ensure your eyes are comfortable and check for signs of extreme dryness, irritation, or skin scratchiness. It is also recommended to rest your eyes by avoiding contact lenses for 24 hours to allow your eyes to recover from redness, dryness, and irritation.
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Difficulty removing contacts
Sleeping with contact lenses can be dangerous and can increase the risk of eye infections, redness, irritation, and permanent damage to the cornea. It is not uncommon for contact lens wearers to worry about the possibility of a contact lens getting lost in their eye. However, it is not anatomically possible for a dislocated lens to get behind the eyeball.
If you have slept in your daily contacts, your eyes will likely feel dry and your contacts may feel stiff, sticky, and hard to pinch or remove. This is because the contacts have likely dried out and become stuck to your cornea.
- Do not panic. Your eyes are probably not damaged from leaving your contacts in overnight.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap to prevent bacteria from entering your eyes. Dry your hands on a clean towel, avoiding the fingertips that will touch your eyes.
- Moisten your eyes with saline or rewetting drops to hydrate the lens. Pull your lower eyelid down and apply a few drops. Be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eye. This will make it easier to remove the contacts.
- Blink a few times to get the tears flowing and separate the contacts from your cornea.
- Close your eyes and gently massage them to get some moisture moving.
- If the contacts are still stuck, place a finger on your eyelid and feel for movement.
- Once the contacts are no longer stuck, remove them carefully.
After removing the contacts, it is recommended to give your eyes a break and let them heal for the rest of the day. Wear your glasses and use eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated. Pay attention to any symptoms of infection, such as redness, excessive watering, or discharge, and contact your eye doctor if necessary.
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Potential for permanent vision loss
Sleeping in daily disposable contact lenses poses several risks to eye health, including permanent vision loss. The risks are significant enough that ophthalmologists recommend against sleeping in contact lenses, even if it's just for an hour.
The cornea, the transparent front part of the eye, needs to be supplied with enough oxygen to stay healthy and work properly. When asleep, the eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses further reduce oxygen supply to the cornea. This decrease in oxygen can lead to corneal hypoxia, a state where the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen. As a result, the cornea can become damaged, leading to conditions such as corneal neovascularization, where new blood vessels grow visibly on the cornea.
In addition to oxygen deprivation, the movement of eyelids during sleep can cause contact lenses to shift out of place, trapping them in unusual positions. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to the eye, increasing the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. One such infection is bacterial keratitis, which can lead to permanent scarring of the cornea if left untreated. Another risk is corneal ulcers, tiny open wounds on the cornea caused by a breakdown in the epithelium due to oxygen deprivation and bacterial growth. Corneal ulcers are one of the largest causes of blindness globally, and delays in treatment can result in lifelong vision damage.
While it is not possible for daily contact lenses to get lost behind the eyes, they can dislodge and crawl up under the eyelids. This can lead to high eye irritation and discomfort, and the wearer may remove the contacts without noticing.
In summary, sleeping in daily disposable contact lenses can lead to eye dryness, irritation, and an increased risk of eye infections and corneal damage. These issues can result in permanent vision loss if not treated promptly and appropriately. Therefore, it is essential to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to seek medical attention if any eye discomfort or infection symptoms persist.
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Frequently asked questions
Your eyes may become dry, irritated, and red, and your contacts may become sticky and hard to remove. Sleeping in your contacts can also lead to more serious issues, such as corneal damage, corneal ulcers, and eye infections.
Your eyes produce fewer tears while you sleep, and contact lenses absorb moisture. This combination of reduced tear production and moisture absorption can lead to dry eyes.
When you sleep with your contacts in, your eyes receive less oxygen, which can cause the lenses to become dehydrated and stick to your corneas.
Avoid forcefully removing the contacts, as this could damage your cornea. Instead, try blinking a few times to get tears flowing, or use eye drops to help lubricate your eyes and loosen the contacts.
Establish a nightly routine to remove your contacts before bed. Keep a backup pair of glasses by your bedside so you can easily switch to them if you forget to take out your contacts.
