Gina Johnson
Sleeping in daily contact lenses is a common mistake, but it can have adverse effects on eye health. Depriving the cornea of oxygen can cause it to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an increased risk of eye infection. While occasional accidents are usually harmless, regularly sleeping in contacts can cause corneal damage, including corneal tearing, corneal ulcers, and even permanent vision loss. Proper contact lens hygiene is essential, including cleaning lenses and replacing them as instructed by eye care professionals. Some people may be candidates for extended-wear lenses, which are thinner and allow more oxygen to reach the eyes. However, even with these lenses, it is recommended to remove them at least once a week to allow the eyes to rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of corneal damage | Deprivation of oxygen can cause the cornea to swell, leading to blurred vision, irritation, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections such as keratitis and corneal neovascularization. |
| Increased risk of eye infections | Sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of eye infections by 6 to 8 times, according to the CDC. Infections can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and potential vision loss. |
| Dryness and discomfort | Reduced tear production during sleep can cause dehydration and stickiness, leading to discomfort and potential corneal tearing when removing contacts. |
| Reduced oxygen supply | Contacts act as a barrier, reducing the oxygen supply to the cornea. This can lead to corneal hypoxia and make the eye more vulnerable to bacterial infections. |
| Trapped bacteria | The contact lens can trap bacteria and debris accumulated throughout the day, increasing the risk of infection. |
| Corneal ulcers | Sleeping in contacts can heighten the risk of corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can cause vision impairment or loss if not treated promptly. |
| Discomfort and eye injuries | Eye movement during sleep can dislodge or stick the lens, causing irritation, discomfort, and potential scratches or other eye injuries. |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping in daily contact lenses can have several adverse effects on your eyes, including an increased risk of eye infection. This is because the eyes produce fewer tears during sleep, leading to dehydration and a reduction in oxygen supply to the cornea. This condition is known as hypoxia and can cause the cornea to break down, becoming vulnerable to bacteria.
Contact lenses themselves can also accumulate debris and bacteria throughout the day, and if not cleaned properly, can introduce these foreign substances into the eye. The combination of reduced oxygen, dehydration, and increased bacteria creates an optimal environment for infection to take hold.
The risk of infection is further heightened by the fact that contact lenses can become dislodged or stuck in unusual positions during sleep, due to eyelid movement and eye rubbing. This can lead to scratches or other injuries to the eye, providing an entry point for bacteria and increasing the likelihood of infection.
Additionally, the practice of sleeping in contact lenses can have a cumulative effect, with the risk of infection increasing each time it occurs. This is because the cornea's ability to regenerate cells and protect the eye from bacteria is reduced with repeated oxygen deprivation. As a result, the chance of developing serious eye infections, such as bacterial keratitis, increases significantly.
It is important to note that while occasional accidental sleep with daily contacts may not lead to extensive damage, it is still recommended to remove contacts before sleeping to reduce the risk of infection and other potential complications.
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Dehydration of the cornea
The lack of lubrication in the eyes during sleep can cause the contacts to adhere firmly to the cornea. Removing the contacts abruptly in this situation can damage the cornea. Instead, it is recommended to gently massage the eyes to stimulate tear production and loosen the contacts. Blinking can also help restore moisture to the eyes and facilitate the separation of the contacts from the cornea.
Additionally, dehydration of the cornea can increase the risk of corneal tearing, which in turn elevates the chances of inflammation and infection. This is because the cornea, deprived of adequate moisture, becomes more susceptible to bacterial invasion. The combination of reduced oxygen and moisture creates an optimal environment for bacteria to thrive, increasing the likelihood of eye infections.
The risk of infection is further heightened by the accumulation of debris and bacteria on the contact lenses. When lenses are not removed and cleaned regularly, they can harbour bacteria and other microorganisms, which then come into direct contact with the eye when the lenses are worn. This accumulation of bacteria, coupled with corneal dehydration, significantly increases the chances of infection and potential corneal damage.
While occasional accidental sleep with daily contacts may not lead to extensive damage, it is crucial to prioritize proper contact lens hygiene and regular cleaning to minimize the risk of corneal dehydration and subsequent infections.
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Potential for corneal tearing
While sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes is a common occurrence, it is important to understand the potential risks involved, especially the danger of corneal tearing.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, your eyes become more susceptible to corneal tearing due to the reduced oxygen supply to the cornea. This oxygen deprivation can lead to a condition called corneal hypoxia, where the cornea doesn't receive enough oxygen. The cornea, being avascular, relies on the oxygen from the air to stay healthy. Contact lenses act as a barrier, significantly reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea.
Additionally, the eyes produce fewer tears during sleep, leading to dehydration of the contact lenses. This dehydration can cause the lenses to stick to the cornea. If the lenses tighten on the eye, it can result in tiny tears on the cornea, a condition known as corneal tearing. These microscopic tears can increase the risk of inflammation and infection, as they provide an entry point for bacteria and microorganisms.
The risk of corneal tearing and infection is further heightened by the accumulation of debris and bacteria on the contact lenses. During the day, soft contact lenses can pick up and retain various substances, such as water, debris, and bacteria. Sleeping with these lenses provides an extended period for bacteria to grow and come into direct contact with the eye, increasing the likelihood of corneal tearing and subsequent infections.
To prevent corneal tearing, it is crucial to remove contact lenses before sleeping. If you accidentally sleep with your lenses in, it is important to take the necessary steps to safely remove them upon waking, such as applying eye drops and gently separating the lenses from the cornea before removal.
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Higher chance of corneal ulcers
Sleeping in contact lenses can have serious implications for eye health, and one of the most common complications is the development of corneal ulcers. Corneal ulcers are sores or wounds on the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue layer at the front of the eye. They are often caused by bacterial infections, which can lead to permanent eye damage, low vision, or even blindness if left untreated.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is disrupted, leading to a condition called hypoxia. This creates an optimal environment for bacteria to grow and increases the risk of infection. The longer you wear your contacts without removing them, the higher the risk of bacterial growth and infection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. This, in turn, raises the likelihood of developing corneal ulcers. The risk is cumulative, meaning that the more frequently you sleep with your contacts in, the higher the chances of experiencing corneal issues.
Certain factors can further increase the risk of corneal ulcers for contact lens wearers. These include overnight wear, long durations of continuous wear, improper lens cleaning and maintenance, and individual susceptibility to infections. Additionally, contact lens wearers who swim or have a history of eye injuries or surgeries may also be at higher risk.
To reduce the chances of developing corneal ulcers, it is essential to practice good contact lens hygiene. This includes removing contacts before sleeping, cleaning and replacing lenses as instructed by a healthcare professional, and maintaining proper hand hygiene when handling lenses. By following these guidelines, you can help protect your eyes from the risk of corneal ulcers and other eye-related issues.
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Possible permanent vision loss
While sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes may not seem like a big deal, it can have serious consequences for your eye health. One of the main risks is the development of eye infections, which can lead to permanent vision loss in rare cases.
When you sleep with your contacts in, your eyes become deprived of oxygen, a state called hypoxia. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to break down, making it vulnerable to bacteria and microorganisms that are normally found in the environment and on the human body. The risk of infection is further increased by the fact that contacts can accumulate debris and bacteria throughout the day, and sleeping in them prevents proper cleaning and oxygen flow.
Bacterial keratitis is one type of infection that can occur. It is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can enter the eye through contact lenses. If left untreated, bacterial keratitis can lead to serious corneal damage and even permanent vision loss.
Fungal keratitis is another potential infection, especially in regions with mild and tropical weather. This condition can cause blindness if not treated promptly. Acanthamoeba keratitis, a microbial eye infection, can also occur alongside fungal keratitis if individuals rinse their contacts in tap water, swim with them, or sleep with them in.
While extensive damage is unlikely from an occasional nap with contacts in, the risk of infection and vision loss increases with cumulative overnight sleeps. This is because the cornea's ability to regenerate cells and protect the eyes from bacteria is reduced. Repeated oxygen deprivation can lead to corneal neovascularization, where the eyes are deprived of oxygen for extended periods, causing permanent damage.
Therefore, while sleeping with daily contacts in your eyes once or twice may not cause immediate issues, it is essential to prioritize proper contact lens hygiene and removal before sleeping to prevent the possibility of permanent vision loss from eye infections and corneal damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Don't panic, it happens to the best of us. Start by gently massaging your eyes to get some moisture moving, then try to nudge the lenses out of your eyes. If they're stuck, blink a few times to get the tears flowing again, or put a few drops of saline or eye drops into your eyes. Once the contacts feel normal again, it's safe to remove them.
Sleeping in daily contacts can increase your risk of eye infections, redness, and permanent damage to your cornea. This is because contacts reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access, creating an optimal environment for bacteria to enter your eye.
Symptoms of an eye infection include reddening of the eye, mucous from the eye, itching, pain, irritation, discomfort, and dryness. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Make it a habit to always remove your contacts before sleeping. If you find yourself frequently forgetting to take them out, ask your eye doctor about continuous wear lenses, which are thinner than daily lenses and allow more oxygen through.
