Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping with colored contacts in can have adverse effects on the eyes. While blinking, the eyes are introduced to new tear fluid and fresh oxygen, which is essential to keep the cornea healthy. However, sleeping with contacts in for extended periods can block oxygen supply to the cornea, causing hypoxia, and making the cornea more susceptible to infections and abrasions. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and in rare cases, loss of vision. It is recommended to let the eyes rest for a day and consult an eye doctor if any symptoms of infection are observed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oxygen supply to the cornea | Blocked |
| Cornea's ability to defend against microbes | Impaired |
| Cornea's ability to regenerate new cells | Impaired |
| Risk of eye infection | Increased |
| Risk of corneal damage | Increased |
| Risk of permanent vision loss | Increased |
| Risk of corneal hypoxia | Increased |
| Risk of conjunctivitis | Increased |
| Risk of corneal ulcers | Increased |
| Risk of fungal keratitis | Increased |
| Risk of bacterial keratitis | Increased |
| Risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis | Increased |
| Risk of corneal inflammation | Increased |
| Risk of corneal scarring | Increased |
| Eye redness | Increased |
| Eye dryness | Increased |
| Eye irritation | Increased |
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What You'll Learn
Oxygen deprivation
When the cornea does not receive enough oxygen, it can result in corneal hypoxia, which has several symptoms, including blurred vision, burning, excessive tearing, and a scratchy feeling in the eye. Mild cases of corneal hypoxia can cause swelling in the epithelial layer of the cornea and temporary blurred vision. More severe cases can lead to the death of epithelial cells and permanent damage to the cornea.
Corneal hypoxia can also make the eye more susceptible to infections, such as bacterial keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria commonly found on the human body and in the environment. The risk of infection is further increased when contact lenses are worn overnight, as bacteria can multiply on the surface of the lenses, leading to a bacterial biofilm that can cause infection.
To avoid oxygen deprivation and the associated risks, it is important not to wear contact lenses for longer than recommended, typically no more than 16 hours per day, and to remove them before sleeping. If you accidentally fall asleep with coloured contacts in, remove them as soon as possible and let your eyes rest for the rest of the day.
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Increased risk of infection
Sleeping with colored contacts in can have adverse effects on your eyes, with one of the most significant risks being an increased chance of infection.
The eyes require a constant supply of oxygen to stay healthy. Blinking throughout the day helps introduce new tear fluid and oxygen into the eyes, keeping the cornea healthy. However, when asleep, the eyes are unable to access the oxygen they need due to the thin plastic material of the contact lenses. This can lead to a state called hypoxia, where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. Without sufficient oxygen, the cornea is unable to defend itself against microbes, increasing the risk of infection.
The lack of oxygen and moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to a higher risk of bacterial infections such as bacterial keratitis, which can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. The risk of microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation, is particularly heightened when sleeping with contacts. Studies have shown that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times, and the overall risk of infection by six to eight times.
In addition to bacterial infections, sleeping with colored contacts can also increase the risk of fungal keratitis, especially if there has been any previous eye trauma. Fungal keratitis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss, if left untreated.
It is important to note that even a short nap with colored contacts in can increase the risk of infection. Therefore, it is recommended to remove contacts before sleeping to minimize the chances of infection and maintain eye health.
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Dryness and irritation
While it may seem harmless to fall asleep with coloured contacts in, doing so can have several adverse effects on your eyes, including dryness and irritation.
When you're awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. However, when you sleep with contacts in, the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes receive is significantly reduced. This is because most contact lenses are made of thin plastic material, which isn't very breathable. As a result, your cornea, or the thin, clear covering of your eyeball, doesn't get enough oxygen, leading to a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause the cornea to swell and become inflamed, resulting in redness and irritation when you wake up.
In addition to hypoxia, sleeping with coloured contacts can also lead to dryness. This is because your eyes rely on blinking throughout the day to introduce new tear fluid and keep the cornea healthy. When you sleep, the contacts block off this fresh tear fluid, resulting in dry eyes. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and may require the use of eye drops or saline solution to rehydrate and lubricate the eyes for easier contact lens removal.
It's important to note that while occasional or accidental naps with contacts in may not cause significant damage, it's still a risk. Even short periods of sleep with contacts in can increase the likelihood of eye infections, redness, and irritation. Therefore, it's recommended to remove coloured contacts before sleeping and give your eyes a break by avoiding contact lenses for at least a day afterward.
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Potential for corneal damage
While it may seem harmless, sleeping with coloured contacts in can have serious repercussions for your eye health. The cornea, which is the thin, clear covering of the eyeball, does not have blood circulating to it and relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye, to keep it healthy.
When you sleep with contacts in, the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access is significantly reduced. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the cornea does not get enough oxygen. Hypoxia can cause the cornea to swell and become larger, making it more vulnerable to bacterial infections. This process is called keratitis, which is an inflammation of the eye caused by bacteria invading the cornea. Keratitis can lead to permanent corneal damage, including scarring and vision loss, and, in rare cases, blindness.
In addition to keratitis, sleeping with coloured contacts can also increase the risk of other types of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and conjunctivitis. These infections can occur due to the reduced oxygen supply to the cornea, as well as the lack of new tear fluid and the build-up of microbes on the contact lenses. The risk of infection is further increased by the fact that contacts are made of thin plastic material that is not very breathable, impairing the cornea's ability to protect itself from microorganisms.
To prevent corneal damage and other eye health issues, it is important to remove coloured contacts before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene.
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Long-term vision loss
While it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep with their coloured contacts in, it is not recommended. Doing so can have serious consequences for eye health and may even lead to long-term vision loss.
When you sleep with your contacts in, you reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes. This can cause your corneas to swell up, a condition known as hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to corneal damage, including corneal ulcers, and may even cause your cornea to become inflamed, a condition known as keratitis. Keratitis can also be caused by bacteria, and sleeping with contacts reduces your cornea's ability to protect itself from microorganisms, increasing your risk of a bacterial infection.
If keratitis is left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss or even cause you to lose your eye. Even if treated, keratitis can cause permanent scarring, which may result in long-term vision loss.
In addition to keratitis, sleeping with contacts increases your risk of other eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, conjunctivitis, and fungal keratitis. These infections can also lead to serious and permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
To avoid long-term vision loss, it is important to never sleep with your contacts in, even for short naps. If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, remove them as soon as you wake up and let your eyes rest for at least a full day before wearing contacts again. If you experience any symptoms of infection, see an eye doctor immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is not recommended to sleep with colored contacts in as it can increase the risk of eye infection, redness, irritation, and permanent damage to your cornea.
If you accidentally fall asleep with colored contacts in, remove them as soon as you wake up. You can use eye drops to rehydrate your eyes and make the contacts easier to remove.
It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after falling asleep with colored contacts in before putting them back in to give your eyes time to recover and rehydrate.
Signs of an eye infection include redness, irritation, and dryness. If you experience any of these symptoms or more severe symptoms such as eye pain, consult an eye doctor immediately.
To prevent falling asleep with colored contacts in, establish a routine for removing them before bed and set reminders. You can also use daily disposable lenses and keep a backup pair of glasses.
