Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. It is important to note that contact lenses are classified as medical devices and should only be used according to your eye doctor's directions. While asleep, your eyelids can trap the lenses in unusual positions, causing irritation and discomfort. Contact lenses can also absorb moisture from your eyes, leading to dryness, which can cause further irritation and potential damage to the corneal surface. Additionally, sleeping with contacts increases your risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, and corneal ulcers, as bacteria are given a good environment to grow and take hold.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Six to eight times higher |
| Oxygen deprivation | Yes |
| Corneal damage | Yes |
| Dry eyes | Yes |
| Irritation | Yes |
| Discomfort | Yes |
| Potential vision loss | Yes |
| Risk of corneal ulcer | Yes |
| Risk of conjunctivitis | Yes |
| Risk of corneal hypoxia | Yes |
| Risk of Ancanthamoeba keratitis | Yes |
| Risk of fungal keratitis | Yes |
| Risk of corneal inflammation | Yes |
| Risk of bacterial infection | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses can increase your risk of eye infection by six to eight times. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. This can lead to hypoxia, a condition where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. When the cornea is deprived of oxygen, it becomes more vulnerable to bacteria and other microorganisms, which can cause infections.
The risk of eye infection is further increased by the fact that contact lenses can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness. This condition can worsen when you sleep, as your eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep. Dry eyes can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface, making it easier for bacteria and other microorganisms to enter the eye.
One of the most serious eye infections that can occur as a result of sleeping with contact lenses is keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. Keratitis is often caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi, viruses, and parasites. It can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. Acanthamoeba keratitis, a specific type of keratitis caused by an amoeba, is commonly associated with poor contact lens hygiene, including sleeping with lenses in.
Another potential eye infection that can occur as a result of sleeping with contact lenses is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies, and is highly contagious.
To reduce the risk of eye infection, it is important to practice good contact lens hygiene, including properly cleaning the lenses and changing them out as instructed by a healthcare professional. It is also recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping, as this gives the eyes a chance to recover and reduces the risk of infection.
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Oxygen deprivation
The cornea of the eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When asleep, the eyes are closed, reducing the oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier to oxygen, further decreasing the oxygen supply to the cornea. This condition is called hypoxia.
Corneal hypoxia can cause the cornea to start to swell as it accumulates lactic acid, which pulls water to it, causing edema. While the initial symptoms of corneal hypoxia may seem mild, there is a risk of more serious problems, such as corneal cysts and the death of epithelial cells, which can compromise vision.
Sleeping with contact lenses can also lead to corneal dryness, as the lenses absorb moisture from the eyes. This dryness can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface. It is recommended to remove contact lenses as soon as possible upon waking and to let the eyes recover before wearing lenses again.
To avoid oxygen deprivation and its associated risks, it is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice proper contact lens hygiene, including cleaning and changing lenses as instructed by a healthcare professional.
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Dry eyes
Sleeping in your contact lenses can lead to dry eyes. This happens because the lenses can absorb the natural moisture in your eyes, making your eyes feel uncomfortable. When you sleep, your eyes are closed, and there is no airflow, exacerbating dry eye symptoms.
Contact lenses can also get dislodged while you sleep, and your eyelids can trap the lenses in unusual positions, especially if you rub your eyes. This displacement can cause scratches or other injuries to your eye.
Additionally, contact lenses can become dirty or contaminated while you sleep, which can affect your vision the next day. They can also trap bacteria against the eye, increasing the risk of eye infections such as bacterial keratitis, which is a painful defect in the cornea's surface.
If you do fall asleep with your contact lenses in, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible when you wake up. You should then let your eyes recover for a day before wearing lenses again. You can also use eye drops to help with the dryness.
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Irritation and discomfort
Sleeping with contact lenses can cause irritation and discomfort to the eyes. 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, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. This can lead to corneal cells becoming damaged, causing irritation and discomfort.
During sleep, the eyes produce fewer tears, leading to dryness. Contact lenses can absorb the moisture in the eyes, exacerbating this dryness. Dry eyes can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface. The lenses may also become stuck to the eyes, making them difficult to remove.
The eyelids can trap the lenses in unusual positions while asleep, particularly if the eyes are rubbed during sleep. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to the eyes, causing further irritation and discomfort.
Additionally, the eyes are exposed to various bacteria and microorganisms throughout the day. Contact lenses worn overnight can trap these bacteria, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply and cause infections. This increases the risk of microbial keratitis, an infection and inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to permanent corneal damage and potential vision loss.
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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. Contact lenses can act as a barrier to oxygen, and when the eyes are closed during sleep, the oxygen supply to the cornea is further reduced. This oxygen deprivation can cause the corneal cells to get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
The cornea is particularly vulnerable to bacterial infections when deprived of oxygen. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times, and these infections may result in corneal damage or even permanent vision loss. The risk of microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation caused by infection, is over five times higher for those who sleep with their contacts in. Acanthamoeba keratitis, an inflammation caused by the acanthamoeba organism, is also a risk, with 85% of those affected being contact lens wearers. Poor contact lens hygiene, such as swimming or showering with lenses, further increases the risk of this infection.
Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, can lead to painful corneal ulcers. While these ulcers can be treated with aggressive antibiotics, they may cause long-term vision issues depending on their location on the cornea. Fungal keratitis, an infection caused by fungi, is another risk, especially in regions with mild and tropical weather. This infection can lead to blindness if left untreated.
In addition to infections, corneal hypoxia, a disorder caused by insufficient oxygen to the cornea, can occur when sleeping with contact lenses. This condition can result in irritation, blurred vision, and increased susceptibility to microorganisms.
To avoid potential corneal damage, it is crucial to remove contact lenses before sleeping. If lenses are accidentally left in while sleeping, it is important to examine them in the mirror upon waking. If the lenses are stuck, do not forcefully remove them as this could damage the cornea. Instead, blinking and applying eye drops can help rehydrate the eyes and facilitate the safe removal of the lenses.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving your contacts in while sleeping can lead to a number of issues. You may experience dry, irritated, and painful eyes. It can also lead to more severe issues such as corneal damage, eye infections, and in rare cases, loss of vision.
Contacts sit on the cornea, which is the eye's clear, outer layer. The cornea needs access to oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. When you sleep with contacts in, the amount of oxygen available to the cornea is reduced, creating an environment for bacteria to grow and take hold.
If you accidentally sleep with your contacts in, don't panic. First, check if the contacts are stuck to your cornea. If they are, don't forcefully remove them. Instead, try blinking a few times to get the tears flowing again. You can also apply some eye drops to help separate the contacts from your cornea. Once they're no longer stuck, it's safe to remove them. After removing the contacts, avoid wearing them for at least 24 hours to allow your eyes to recover.
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