Colin Snow
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can have serious consequences. It is estimated that one-third of contact lens wearers have accidentally slept with their lenses in at least once, and while this may seem harmless, it can increase the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. The cornea of the eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier to oxygen, and when worn overnight, they can cause hypoxia, a state where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. This can lead to bacterial or microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, which can result in permanent corneal damage and even vision loss. Other risks include conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, corneal hypoxia, and general inflammation and irritation.
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can increase your risk of an eye infection. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Contact lenses can significantly cut the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access, and this decrease becomes even more severe when you are asleep. Without enough oxygen, a state called hypoxia, the cells in the cornea can get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
While you are awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. However, when you are asleep, your eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses add an extra barrier against oxygen and can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness. This condition can worsen when you sleep with your contacts in, as your eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep. Dry eyes can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Furthermore, contact lenses can trap microbes and bacteria from the lenses or your surroundings, creating an optimal environment for them to multiply overnight. The risk of infection is heightened by the fact that the cornea does not have any blood vessels, so it is especially vulnerable to bacterial growth when deprived of oxygen. This can lead to microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, which can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or amoebas. If left untreated, microbial keratitis can lead to dangerous side effects such as persistent eye scarring that can result in blindness and visual loss.
Sleeping with contact lenses can also increase your risk of developing corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea. These can cause significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if not treated quickly and appropriately. In addition, regular eye exams are critical to maintaining corneal and eye health, especially for contact lens wearers.
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Oxygen deprivation
Oxygen is essential for providing the cornea with the nutrients it needs to stay clear and healthy. The cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, does not have any blood vessels, so it relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When awake, blinking keeps the eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears.
Contact lenses sit on the cornea, acting as an extra barrier to oxygen. When asleep, the eyes are closed, reducing the oxygen available to the cornea. The contact lens does not move, further inhibiting oxygen and nutrients from entering the cornea. This can lead to oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, where the corneal cells can get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
When the cornea is deprived of oxygen, it may swell, causing irritation, blurred vision, or an infection. If this happens repeatedly, the cornea's ability to regenerate cells on its outer edges is reduced, increasing the ability of bacteria to get into the deeper layers of the eye and cause infections. This can lead to corneal ulcers, where an open sore forms on the cornea, causing significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
The lack of oxygen can also cause the cornea to develop tiny blood vessels that grow onto the cornea, damaging it through persistent inflammation, irritation, and scarring, which can also lead to vision loss.
It is important to note that even if no discomfort is felt after sleeping with contact lenses, damage may still have been caused to the cornea.
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Dryness and irritation
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can cause dryness and irritation for several reasons. Firstly, contact lenses sit on top of the cornea, the eye's clear outer layer, and significantly reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches it. The cornea does not have any blood vessels, so it relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When the cornea does not receive enough oxygen, a condition known as hypoxia, the cells can become damaged, leading to various symptoms such as irritation, blurred vision, and discomfort.
Contact lenses further reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea when you are asleep, as your eyes are closed, and you are not blinking. Blinking helps to keep the eyes moist and facilitates the flow of oxygen through tears. Additionally, contact lenses themselves can absorb moisture from the eyes, leading to dryness. This condition is exacerbated during sleep, as the eyes naturally produce fewer tears.
The combination of reduced oxygen and increased dryness creates an optimal environment for bacteria to enter and infect the eye. This can lead to serious eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea, and bacterial keratitis, caused by bacteria commonly found on the human body and in the environment. These infections can have severe consequences, including corneal damage, surgery, and potential vision loss.
While it is common for people to accidentally fall asleep with their contact lenses in, and extensive damage is unlikely from an occasional occurrence, it is important to remove the lenses as soon as possible upon waking. It is recommended to gently massage the eyes to stimulate moisture production, nudge the lenses out, and apply eye drops to rehydrate the eyes. Letting the eyes rest for a full day before wearing lenses again is also advised.
To prevent dryness and irritation, it is crucial to practice good contact lens hygiene, including proper cleaning and adhering to the recommended replacement schedule. Additionally, establishing a bedtime routine that includes removing contact lenses and using eye drops or wearing glasses can help avoid accidental sleep with lenses in.
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Potential corneal damage
The cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When there isn't enough oxygen supply, corneal cells can get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications. This condition is called corneal hypoxia.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, the lenses act as a barrier to oxygen, inhibiting the flow of oxygen to the cornea. This can lead to corneal cells deteriorating and dying. The lack of oxygen can also cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, and an increased risk of infection.
In addition to oxygen deprivation, sleeping with contact lenses can also lead to dryness, as the lenses absorb moisture from the eyes. This dryness can cause further irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
The combination of oxygen deprivation and dryness creates an optimal environment for bacteria to grow and take hold, increasing the risk of eye infections such as microbial keratitis, an infection and inflammation of the cornea. If left untreated, microbial keratitis can lead to corneal scarring and even blindness.
Sleeping with contact lenses can also increase the risk of corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea. These ulcers can cause significant pain and vision impairment and may even lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
While the risk of extensive damage from an occasional night of sleeping with contacts is low, good contact lens hygiene is important to maintain eye health. This includes proper cleaning of lenses, replacing the lens case and solution, and following the directions of the prescribing doctor.
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Possible vision loss
While it may seem harmless, sleeping with your contact lenses in can have serious consequences for your eyes. The cornea, which is the clear, outer layer of the eye, relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier to oxygen, and when you are asleep, your eyes are closed, further reducing the oxygen available to the cornea. This can lead to a condition called corneal hypoxia, where the cornea does not get enough oxygen. As a result, the cornea may swell, causing irritation, blurred vision, and increased vulnerability to bacterial infections.
Infections such as bacterial keratitis, a severe cornea infection, can develop due to the ideal environment created for bacteria to multiply. This can lead to corneal ulcers, open sores on the cornea, which cause significant vision impairment and pain. If left untreated, corneal ulcers can even result in permanent vision loss.
Fungal keratitis, an infection caused by fungi, is another risk associated with sleeping in contact lenses. This condition is a leading cause of blindness in India. Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection caused by amoebas, can also occur, requiring a long regimen of medicated eye drops or even surgery if left untreated.
The risk of eye infections is significantly increased by sleeping in contact lenses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of infection may increase by six to eight times. These infections can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss.
It is important to note that these risks apply even if you only nap for a short period with your contact lenses in. Proper contact lens hygiene is crucial to prevent eye infections and other complications. If you experience any symptoms such as redness, irritation, blurred vision, or eye pain, it is recommended to consult an eye care professional immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Your eyes may feel dry, sore, or irritated. You may also experience redness and have difficulty removing the lenses.
The risk of an eye infection increases significantly. This can lead to permanent corneal damage and even vision loss. Types of infections include microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and conjunctivitis.
Remove the lenses as soon as you wake up. Apply lubricating eye drops to soothe any dryness or irritation. Disinfect the lenses thoroughly following the manufacturer's instructions.
While it is generally not recommended to sleep with contacts in, there are some extended-wear contact lenses that are safe for overnight use. However, even with these lenses, it is important to practice good contact lens hygiene and follow the recommended wear time to minimize the risk of infection and irritation.
