Evie Summers
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. While it may seem convenient to fall asleep without taking them out, it is important to understand the potential risks involved. Firstly, contact lenses can absorb moisture from your eyes, leading to dryness, irritation, and discomfort when you wake up. More importantly, sleeping with contact lenses significantly increases your risk of eye infections, with studies showing a six to eight times higher likelihood. This includes infections such as microbial keratitis, which can cause permanent corneal damage and even vision loss if left untreated. Other potential issues include corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and corneal hypoxia, which occurs when the cornea doesn't receive enough oxygen. Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good lens hygiene to protect your eye health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Six to eight times higher |
| Types of infection | Microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, Acanthamoeba keratitis, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, corneal hypoxia |
| Symptoms | Dry, painful, red, irritated and inflamed eyes |
| Other risks | Corneal damage, surgery, loss of vision, corneal scarring, corneal trauma, corneal injuries, corneal surface damage |
| Safe alternatives | Night and day lenses, extended-wear contacts, silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses on can have serious consequences for your eyes. One of the most significant risks is the increased likelihood of developing an eye infection.
Contact lenses sit on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. The cornea is unique in that it does not contain any blood vessels, so it relies on oxygen from the air to stay healthy. When you sleep with your contact lenses in, the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea is significantly reduced. This is because your eyelids are closed, blocking oxygen from the surrounding air, and the contact lenses act as a physical barrier, further reducing oxygen transmission. This oxygen deprivation can lead to damage and even death of the epithelial cells that make up the cornea.
The reduced oxygen supply creates an optimal environment for bacteria to enter and infect the eye. Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, is a common issue for contact lens wearers who sleep with their lenses on. It is caused by bacteria found on the human body and in the environment, and it can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. In addition to bacterial infections, sleeping in contact lenses can also increase the risk of fungal keratitis, especially if there has been some kind of eye trauma, such as contact with a plant or branch.
Proper contact lens hygiene is crucial to preventing eye infections. This includes cleaning and storing lenses in their case before sleeping, as well as replacing lenses and lens cases regularly. While some lenses are designed for overnight or extended wear, it is always best to consult an eye doctor or optometrist for advice on safe lens usage.
The risks of eye infections are significant, even for occasional or accidental napping with contact lenses on. If you do fall asleep with your lenses in, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible and allow your eyes to rest for a full day before resuming lens wear. If you notice any symptoms of infection, such as redness, irritation, or corneal damage, seek medical advice immediately to prevent serious and permanent eye damage.
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Oxygen deprivation
The cornea is the clear, outer layer of the eye. It does not have any blood vessels, so it needs to access oxygen from the air. When you sleep with contact lenses on, you are depriving your cornea of oxygen, which can lead to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection.
The eyes make fewer tears during sleep, so contact lenses are likely to be dehydrated and possibly stuck to the cornea when you wake up. The contact lens traps heat and moisture, creating an optimal environment for bacterial growth. This can lead to inflammatory responses, swelling (edema) of the cornea, and even the rapid development of infections like keratitis.
Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of fungal keratitis, which can cause blindness if left untreated. It also increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. These infections may result in corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss.
It is important to note that even if it seems like a lot of effort, you should always clean and store your contact lenses in their case before falling asleep. This is to ensure that your eyes get the oxygen they need to function properly.
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Eye dryness
Sleeping with contact lenses on can cause eye dryness, irritation, and discomfort. This is because contact lenses absorb the moisture in your eyes, and your eyes produce fewer tears during sleep. This combination of moisture absorption and reduced tear production can lead to dry eyes, which can cause irritation and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Contact lenses can also trap microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, against the cornea, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply and leading to infections such as microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is an inflammation and infection of the cornea that can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of developing this condition by six to eight times, according to the CDC.
In addition to the risk of infection, sleeping in contact lenses can also lead to corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and corneal hypoxia, a disorder that develops when the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen. The cornea relies on oxygen from the atmosphere to stay healthy and clear, and contact lenses act as an additional barrier, reducing the oxygen supply. This lack of oxygen can damage corneal cells and potentially lead to further complications, such as reduced healing and regeneration of the corneal cells, making it harder to fight off infections.
To prevent eye dryness and other complications, it is recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to let the eyes recover for a full day before wearing lenses again. It is also important to practice good contact lens hygiene, including regular cleaning and proper storage, to reduce the risk of infection.
If you accidentally fall asleep with contact lenses on, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible. If they are stuck, you can try adding a few drops of sterile artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to help loosen them. After removing the lenses, it is important to let your eyes rest and rehydrate, and to consult an eye doctor if any symptoms of infection or persistent dryness occur.
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Potential corneal damage
The cornea, or the clear outer layer of the eye, does not have any blood vessels and relies on oxygen from the air to remain healthy. When you sleep with contact lenses in, the plastic acts as a physical barrier, preventing the cornea from getting enough oxygen. This condition is called hypoxia and can lead to corneal neovascularisation, where small blood vessels grow in the cornea to provide an oxygen supply.
Additionally, contact lenses can absorb moisture from the eyes, leading to dryness, especially during sleep when the eyes produce fewer tears. This dryness can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Sleeping with contact lenses also increases the risk of eye infections, such as bacterial or microbial keratitis, where microorganisms get trapped between the lens and the cornea, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply. If left untreated, these infections can lead to permanent corneal scarring and, in rare cases, vision loss.
Furthermore, the contact lens itself may tighten while on the eye during sleep, resulting in tiny rips or tears on the cornea, increasing the risk of eye injuries, inflammation, or abrasions.
To prevent potential corneal damage, it is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping and practice good contact lens hygiene. If you accidentally fall asleep with your lenses in, remove them as soon as possible and let your eyes rest for a day before wearing lenses again.
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Irritation and discomfort
Sleeping with contact lenses on can cause a range of issues, including irritation and discomfort. The lenses can absorb moisture from your eyes, leading to dryness, which can cause irritation and discomfort. This condition can worsen when you sleep with your contacts in, as your eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep.
Additionally, your eyelids can trap the lenses in unusual positions while you sleep, especially if you rub your eyes. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to your eyes, causing further irritation and discomfort.
If you wake up with your contact lenses still in, it is important to remain calm and not panic. You should avoid removing the lenses immediately, as they may be dry and sticky, which can cause more discomfort. Instead, you can try gently massaging your eyes to stimulate moisture production and then gently nudge the lenses out. If you have trouble removing them, you can apply a few drops of contact solution to your eyes and blink a few times before trying again.
After removing the lenses, it is recommended to give your eyes a break from contact lenses for at least 24 hours to allow them to recover and rehydrate. During this time, you can use eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable.
While occasional napping with contact lenses may not cause extensive damage, it is important to emphasize that regularly sleeping with contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and potential vision loss.
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Frequently asked questions
You may wake up with dry, irritated, painful, or red eyes. There is also a higher risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and in rare cases, loss of vision.
The risk of an eye infection is six to eight times higher if you sleep with contact lenses on. This risk is present regardless of the type of contact lens worn.
If the lenses feel stuck, do not pull at them. Use eye drops and blink until they can be easily removed. Then, give your eyes a break and let them recover for a day before wearing lenses again.
There are several types of eye infections you could develop, including microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, corneal ulcers, and conjunctivitis.
