Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. It can cause dry, sore, or red eyes, and in more severe cases, eye infections and corneal damage. Contact lenses are medical devices that inhibit the eye's tear exchange, and when worn during sleep, they can trap germs and bacteria, leading to an increased risk of eye infections. This can result in microbial keratitis, an infection and inflammation of the cornea, which, if left untreated, can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. While it may be tempting to leave your contacts in while sleeping, it is important to prioritize eye health and remove them before bed to reduce the risk of these potential complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, corneal hypoxia |
| Dry eyes | Can cause irritation, blurred vision, corneal damage, and potential scarring |
| Discomfort | Eye pain, redness, inflammation, light sensitivity |
| Corneal issues | Swelling, reduced cell regeneration, corneal damage, vision loss |
| Trapped debris | Foreign objects trapped under contacts can cause eye damage |
| Displacement | Contacts can shift and become stuck to the cornea, causing scratches and injuries |
| Poor hygiene | Accumulation of debris and bacteria can increase the risk of infection |
| Serious complications | Infections can lead to surgery, permanent vision loss, and blindness |
| Approved alternatives | Extended-wear contacts are approved by the FDA for overnight use |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Contacts are medical devices that should only be used according to your eye doctor's directions. While it is common to fall asleep with contacts in, it is not recommended by eye specialists. This is because sleeping with contacts in increases the risk of eye infection by six to eight times, according to the CDC.
Contacts reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the cornea does not get enough oxygen. Hypoxia can cause blurred vision, irritation, and swelling of the cornea, which increases the risk of bacterial invasion. The longer the contacts are left in, the drier they get, and the harder they are to remove.
Infections can occur whether you are wearing contacts to correct your vision or for decorative purposes. One of the most common infections caused by sleeping with contacts in is microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. This condition is usually caused by bacteria, but it can also be fungal, viral, or parasitic. Acanthamoeba keratitis, a type of microbial keratitis, can be caused by rinsing contacts in tap water, swimming in them, and sleeping in them.
Other possible infections include bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). If left untreated, these infections can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss or blindness.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, do not panic. Examine them in the mirror, and if they are stuck, do not remove them. Instead, try blinking a few times to get the tears flowing, or put a few drops of saline or eye drops into your eyes. Once the contacts feel normal again, you can try removing them. Give your eyes the rest of the day to heal, and use eye drops occasionally to keep them lubricated. If you experience any symptoms of infection, see an eye doctor right away.
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Dehydration of the cornea
The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen and hydration to function properly. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. This oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia, can lead to swelling of the cornea and increase the risk of eye infections.
Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, is commonly associated with sleeping in contact lenses. It is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be found on the human body and in the environment. The use of extended-wear contact lenses, a compromised immune system, or a previous eye injury can further increase the risk of bacterial keratitis.
In addition to bacterial infections, sleeping in contacts can also lead to fungal keratitis. This type of infection is more common in regions with mild and tropical weather. It is often associated with some form of eye trauma, such as contact with a plant, branch, or stick.
To prevent dehydration of the cornea and reduce the risk of infection, it is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping. If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, do not remove them immediately upon waking as this can cause damage to the cornea. Instead, blink to produce tears and help separate the contacts from your cornea. Using eye drops can also help re-wet your eyes and facilitate the removal of the lenses.
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Potential for corneal damage
Contacts are medical devices that should be used according to your eye doctor's directions. While it is common to fall asleep with contacts still in, it is not recommended by eye specialists.
When you sleep, your eyelids move, and this can cause the lenses to shift out of place. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye, including the cornea.
Contacts reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. While you are sleeping, this decrease becomes even more severe. This can lead to hypoxia, a condition where the cornea does not get enough oxygen. Depriving your cornea of oxygen can cause it to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection.
Infections, such as bacterial, microbial, or fungal keratitis, can cause permanent corneal scarring and vision loss. Acanthamoeba keratitis, for example, is caused by an amoeba found in water sources, including tap water, and can lead to permanent scarring that requires surgery.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, do not panic. Examine them in the mirror, and if they are stuck, do not remove them. Instead, use eye drops to lubricate your eyes, and blink until the contacts feel normal again.
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Risk of permanent vision loss
While it is a common occurrence, sleeping with contact lenses in can have severe consequences for your eyes. One of the most serious risks is permanent vision loss.
When you sleep, your eyelids move, and this can cause the lenses to shift out of place. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye, including the cornea. The cornea is the protective dome on the surface of your eye, and it needs oxygen to stay healthy. Contact lenses significantly reduce the amount of oxygen your eyes receive, and this decrease becomes even more severe when you sleep. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection.
Infections, such as bacterial, microbial, or fungal keratitis, can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Microbial keratitis, for example, is an inflammation and infection of the cornea caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It can result in vision loss and permanent scarring of the eye, which can cause blindness. Acanthamoeba keratitis, another type of infection, can also cause permanent scarring if not treated with medicated eye drops or surgery.
The risk of infection is significantly increased when sleeping with contact lenses. Studies have shown that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times, and the risk of any infection by six to eight times. This is because contacts can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness, which makes it easier for bacteria to get into the deeper layers of the eye and cause infections.
Therefore, it is essential to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good lens hygiene to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
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Irritation and discomfort
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can cause a range of issues, including irritation and discomfort. When you sleep, your eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier, further decreasing oxygen levels and moisture in your eyes. This can lead to hypoxia, a condition where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. As a result, you may experience corneal irritation, blurred vision, and increased susceptibility to infections.
The tear film, a protective layer coating your eyes, is also affected by contact lenses during sleep. Normally, blinking helps to wash away germs and keep your eyes moist. However, when you sleep with contact lenses, the tear film's protective function is impaired, allowing germs to spread more easily. This increases the risk of bacterial or microbial infections, such as microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea.
Additionally, contact lenses can become dehydrated and stick to your corneas while you sleep. Removing dehydrated lenses can be challenging and may cause damage to the cornea. It is recommended to blink and use saline or eye drops to rehydrate the lenses before gently removing them.
Sleeping with contact lenses can also lead to corneal neo vascularization, a condition caused by reduced airflow and moisture to the eyes. This can result in long-term issues, such as dry eyes, making it difficult to continue wearing contact lenses.
Furthermore, contact lenses that have not been removed and cleaned properly can accumulate debris, increasing the risk of trapping bacteria and other microorganisms in your eyes. This can lead to various infections, such as bacterial keratitis, caused by common bacteria found on the human body and in the environment.
While it may be tempting to leave your contact lenses in while sleeping, doing so can lead to significant irritation and discomfort. It is crucial to prioritize eye health and follow the recommended lens-wearing guidelines provided by eye care professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to sleep with contact lenses in. Doing so can cause eye dryness, soreness, redness, and irritation. It can also lead to more severe issues such as eye infections, corneal damage, blurred vision, and even permanent vision loss.
If you wake up with your contacts still in, do not panic or attempt to rip them out. First, try blinking a few times to get the tears flowing and separating the contacts from your corneas. You can also put a few drops of saline or eye drops into your eyes to lubricate them. Once the contacts feel normal again, you can carefully remove them. Give your eyes the rest of the day to heal and use eye drops occasionally to keep them lubricated.
While some contacts are FDA-approved for overnight wear, it is still important to follow the directions provided by your eye doctor. Sleeping with contacts in, even those meant for extended wear, can increase the risk of eye infections and other issues.
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