Colin Snow
Sleeping in daily contact lenses can have adverse effects on eye health and vision. While it may be tempting to fall asleep without removing your contacts, doing so can lead to a host of issues, including eye dryness, redness, irritation, and discomfort. More importantly, it increases the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. This risk is elevated due to the reduced oxygen supply to the cornea during sleep, allowing bacteria and microorganisms to thrive. Although some contacts are FDA-approved for overnight wear, they may not work for everyone, and even these lenses carry a heightened risk of eye issues. Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove daily contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good lens hygiene to maintain eye health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Bacterial keratitis, microbial keratitis, fungal keratitis |
| Dehydration | Dryness, irritation, redness |
| Oxygen deprivation | Hypoxia |
| Corneal damage | Ulcers, permanent scarring |
| Vision loss | In rare cases, blindness |
| Difficulty removing lenses | Lenses may feel stiff, sticky, and hard to pinch |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping in daily contact lenses can have several adverse effects on eye health, with an increased risk of eye infection being a primary concern.
The cornea of the eye requires oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. While you sleep, the amount of oxygen available to the cornea is already reduced. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier, further decreasing the oxygen available to the eye. This state of oxygen deprivation is known as hypoxia. Without sufficient oxygen, the cornea can break down, becoming vulnerable to bacteria that may be present in the contact lens or the eye environment.
Blinking helps to keep the eyes moist and facilitates the flow of oxygen to the cornea. During sleep, the eyes are closed, and contact lenses further reduce moisture, leading to dryness. Dryness and hypoxia increase the risk of bacterial or microbial invasion, resulting in infections such as microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. This condition can cause permanent scarring and vision loss.
Fungal keratitis is another potential infection associated with sleeping in contact lenses. While this infection usually occurs in individuals who have experienced eye trauma involving plants or branches, the decreased oxygen and increased bacteria from wearing contact lenses overnight can contribute to its development. Fungal keratitis is a leading cause of blindness in India, highlighting the severe consequences of eye infections.
It is important to note that even a short nap with contact lenses can increase the risk of infection. The risk is further elevated if proper contact lens hygiene is not maintained, including the cleaning and replacement of lenses as instructed by healthcare professionals. While some contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear, they are not recommended by eye specialists due to the heightened risk of infections and other eye complications.
If you accidentally fall asleep with contact lenses in, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible upon waking and allow your eyes to rest for a full day before resuming lens wear. Consult an eye doctor immediately if any symptoms of infection, such as redness, irritation, or persistent eye pain, are observed.
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Dehydration and irritation
When you sleep with your contacts in, your eyes are deprived of oxygen and hydration, which they need to fight a bacterial or microbial invasion. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. While you're awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. However, contacts fit over the surface of your eye, significantly cutting the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access. While you're sleeping, this decrease becomes even more severe. Without enough oxygen, a state called hypoxia, the cells in the cornea break down, leaving the cornea vulnerable to bacteria.
When you sleep, your eyelids move, putting pressure on your eyes' surface. This can cause the lenses to shift out of place. Along with irritation and general discomfort, this displacement can also lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye.
If you do fall asleep with your contacts in, it is recommended to remove them as soon as you wake up and let your eyes recover for a day before wearing lenses again. To help your eyes recover, you can blink, apply rewetting drops, and use cooling drops and warm compresses.
While it is not uncommon for contact lens wearers to occasionally fall asleep without removing their contacts, it is important to note that doing so regularly can have serious impacts on eye health. Proper contact lens hygiene is crucial, including cleaning the lenses and changing them out as instructed by a healthcare professional.
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Potential for permanent corneal damage
While it may be tempting to fall asleep with your daily contact lenses in, it is important to understand the potential risks involved, especially the possibility of permanent corneal damage.
The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye and is responsible for protecting the eye from infection. When you sleep with contact lenses in, the lenses act as a barrier, preventing oxygen and hydration from reaching the cornea. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the cells in the cornea break down and become vulnerable to bacteria.
Bacteria and microorganisms frequently come into contact with our eyes, but a healthy cornea, with adequate oxygen and hydration, can defend against them. However, when contacts are left in overnight, they can trap these bacteria, increasing the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. This infection can lead to permanent corneal damage, including scarring and vision loss.
The risk of infection is further heightened by the fact that contacts can shift out of place during sleep, due to eye movement and rubbing. This displacement can cause scratches or other injuries to the cornea, making it more susceptible to infection.
While some contacts are FDA-approved for overnight wear, even these extended-wear lenses do not guarantee compatibility with everyone's eyes. Additionally, the risk of infection still exists, as evidenced by celebrity Tori Spelling, who developed an ulcer on her eye from frequently sleeping in contacts, despite the lenses being approved for extended wear.
In conclusion, sleeping in daily contact lenses can have serious consequences for eye health, including the potential for permanent corneal damage through infection, scarring, and vision loss. It is always best to follow the directions provided by your eye doctor and practice proper contact lens hygiene to minimize these risks.
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Higher risk of microbial keratitis
Sleeping in daily contact lenses can have adverse effects on eye health. One of the most significant risks is the development of microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea. This condition can lead to serious complications, including vision loss and permanent corneal scarring.
The cornea is the clear, outermost layer of the eye, and it plays a crucial role in focusing light and protecting the eye from external stimuli. When you sleep with contact lenses in, the lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture available to the cornea. This creates an environment conducive to microbial growth, increasing the risk of infection.
Microbial keratitis is typically caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi, viruses, or parasites. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, commonly found on the human body and in the environment, are often associated with this type of infection. Additionally, individuals who experience eye trauma from objects like plants, branches, or sticks are more susceptible to developing fungal keratitis while sleeping in contact lenses.
The risk of microbial keratitis is significantly elevated when sleeping in contact lenses, with studies showing an increase of up to six to eight times the normal risk. This heightened risk applies regardless of the type of lens used, and even occasional napping with lenses in can raise the chances of infection. It is important to note that proper contact lens hygiene, including regular cleaning and adhering to replacement schedules, can help mitigate these risks.
Symptoms of microbial keratitis include eye redness, irritation, dryness, and pain. If you experience any of these symptoms after sleeping in contact lenses, it is crucial to remove the lenses as soon as possible and consult an eye care professional. Allowing the eyes to rest and recover for at least 24 hours is recommended.
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Possible eye trauma
While sleeping in daily contact lenses may not always lead to serious eye trauma, it is still a risky practice that can have adverse effects on eye health. The most common issue is an increased risk of eye infections, including microbial keratitis, which can cause permanent vision loss and scarring. The risk of infection is heightened by the fact that contact lenses can trap bacteria and microorganisms in the eye, and this risk is further elevated by a decrease in oxygen and hydration to the cornea during sleep.
The cornea, which is the front surface of the eye, relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When contact lenses are worn overnight, they act as an extra barrier, significantly reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture available to the cornea. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the cells in the cornea break down, making the eye more vulnerable to bacteria.
In addition to infections, sleeping in daily contact lenses can also cause eye dryness, redness, irritation, and discomfort. The lenses may become dried out and sticky, making them difficult to remove. This can lead to scratching or other injuries to the eye, especially if the lenses become dislodged or stuck during sleep.
While some contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear, even these lenses do not guarantee compatibility with all users' eyes, and the risk of infection and other issues remains. Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene to protect eye health and prevent potential trauma.
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Frequently asked questions
This can lead to a number of issues, including redness, irritation, inflammation, and dry, painful eyes. There is also a risk of infection, such as microbial keratitis, which can cause permanent scarring and even vision loss.
If you wake up with your contact lenses still in, remove them as soon as possible. You may need to use eye drops to help with removal. Then, let your eyes rest and recover for at least 24 hours.
Regularly sleeping in contact lenses can create an optimal environment for bacteria to get into the eye area. This can lead to an increased risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and even vision loss. It is important to follow proper contact lens hygiene and only wear lenses as instructed by a healthcare professional.
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