Gina Johnson
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes, even for just 30 minutes, can have serious consequences. Contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea, increasing the risk of eye infections such as microbial keratitis and fungal keratitis. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and even loss of vision. Other consequences include dry, sore, or red eyes, as well as increased sensitivity to light. While it may be tempting to leave your contacts in while taking a short nap, it is always best to remove them to protect your eye health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of irritation | Increased |
| Risk of infection | Increased by six to eight times |
| Risk of corneal damage | Increased |
| Risk of vision loss | Increased |
| Risk of blindness | Increased |
| Risk of permanent corneal damage | Increased |
| Risk of corneal hypoxia | Increased |
| Risk of microbial keratitis | Increased by five times |
| Risk of conjunctivitis | Increased |
| Risk of corneal ulcers | Increased |
| Risk of fungal keratitis | Increased |
| Risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis | Increased |
| Risk of bacterial keratitis | Increased |
| Dry eyes | Common |
| Red eyes | Common |
| Sore eyes | Common |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Even a short nap with contact lenses in can increase the risk of eye infection. This is because the cornea needs to absorb oxygen from the air to stay healthy, and contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. This is known as hypoxia, and it impairs the cornea's ability to protect itself from microorganisms.
The risk of infection is increased six to eight times when contact lenses are left in overnight, according to the CDC. This can lead to various infections, including microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. Microbial keratitis is commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also be viral, fungal, or parasitic. One type of fungal keratitis is Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is an inflammation caused by a scrape in the eye. This can occur when there is poor contact lens hygiene, such as swimming or showering with lenses in.
Other infections that can occur as a result of sleeping in contact lenses include bacterial keratitis, which is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. In serious cases, these infections can lead to permanent corneal damage, surgery, and even vision loss or blindness.
It is important to remove contact lenses as soon as possible if you fall asleep with them in and to let your eyes recover for a day before wearing lenses again. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, or blurred vision, it is recommended to see an eye doctor right away.
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Dry, sore, or red eyes
In addition, the movement of eyelids during sleep can cause lenses to shift out of place, leading to further irritation and discomfort. If lenses become stuck in unusual positions, they can also cause scratches or other injuries to the eye.
Contact lens wearers may also experience sore eyes due to allergens that build up on the lenses over time. Allergies are a common cause of eye irritation, with allergens such as dust, dirt, smoke, perfume, or even some kinds of food irritating the eyes when they come into contact with them.
To alleviate dry, sore, or red eyes, it is recommended to blink rapidly until the contact lenses feel normal again. It is also suggested to give your eyes the rest of the day to heal, wearing glasses and using eye drops to keep them lubricated. If symptoms persist for more than a day, it is advised to consult an eye care professional.
It is important to note that contact lenses are medical devices and should only be used according to your eye doctor's directions. Proper lens care, including regular cleaning and disinfecting, is essential to maintaining eye health and preventing infections.
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Corneal damage
Even a short nap of 30 minutes with contact lenses in your eyes can have adverse effects. When you sleep, your eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea from the atmosphere. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier to oxygen, causing oxygen deprivation in the cornea. This can lead to corneal hypoxia, a condition where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. This, in turn, can cause a buildup of lactic acid, which draws water into corneal cells, resulting in corneal edema or swelling.
The deprivation of oxygen also increases the risk of infection in the cornea. The cornea is the protective dome on the surface of your eye, and it is vulnerable to various infections when you sleep with contacts in. Microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea, is a common complication of sleeping with contact lenses. It is usually caused by bacteria but can also be viral, fungal, or parasitic. If left untreated, microbial keratitis can lead to vision loss, permanent scarring of the eye, and even blindness.
Other corneal complications that can arise from sleeping with contact lenses include epithelial edema, microcysts, abrasions, superficial punctate keratitis, peripheral corneal staining, sterile corneal infiltrates, corneal neovascularization, and endothelial changes. These complications are caused by hypoxic changes, chemical toxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, mechanical trauma, and desiccation.
In addition to the risk of infection and corneal complications, sleeping with contact lenses can also cause dryness, redness, irritation, and discomfort in the eyes. The lenses can also become dislodged or stuck in unusual positions, leading to scratches or other injuries to the eye.
While the effects of a short 30-minute nap with contacts may not be as severe as prolonged sleep, it is still important to avoid sleeping with contact lenses to prevent any potential damage to the cornea and ensure eye health.
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Vision loss
The cornea, or the transparent front surface of the eye, needs to draw oxygen from its environment to stay healthy. During sleep, the cornea can only obtain oxygen from the blood vessels in the eyelids. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. As a result, the cornea's ability to protect itself from microorganisms is impaired, increasing the risk of infection.
Infections caused by sleeping with contact lenses can include microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. This condition is commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also be viral, fungal, or parasitic. Left untreated, microbial keratitis can lead to permanent corneal damage, vision loss, and even blindness. Other types of infections include bacterial keratitis, which is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungal keratitis, which can also result in vision loss if left untreated.
In addition to infections, sleeping with contact lenses can also cause physical damage to the eye. The eyelids move during sleep, putting pressure on the surface of the eye and causing the lenses to shift out of place. This can lead to scratches or other injuries to the eye, which can also contribute to vision loss.
While it may be tempting to leave your contact lenses in while taking a short nap, it is important to remember that even a short nap can increase the risk of eye infections and other complications. To avoid these risks, it is recommended to always remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene.
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Oxygen deprivation
Oxygen is essential for keeping the eyes healthy. During the day, the cornea, the transparent front surface of the eye, draws oxygen from the air. However, when asleep, the eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier, further decreasing the oxygen supply to the cornea.
This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, and an increased risk of eye infections. The cornea relies on oxygen to protect itself from microorganisms. Depriving the cornea of oxygen impairs its ability to defend against bacteria, increasing the risk of bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea. Bacterial keratitis can result in permanent corneal damage and vision loss if left untreated.
Sleeping with contact lenses can also lead to corneal hypoxia, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the cornea. This can cause dryness, redness, and irritation of the eyes. Additionally, the lenses can shift out of place during sleep, causing discomfort and potentially leading to scratches or other eye injuries.
The risk of eye infections increases significantly when sleeping with contact lenses, with studies showing a six to eight times higher risk. Even a short nap with contacts in can increase the chances of irritation and infection. It is recommended to always remove contact lenses before sleeping to maintain eye health and reduce the risk of complications.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, it is important to remove them as soon as you wake up. If they feel stuck, do not pull on them. Instead, use eye drops and blink until they can be removed easily. Allow your eyes to rest for the remainder of the day, and if any symptoms of infection or irritation persist, consult an eye care professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Even a short nap with contact lenses in can increase the risk of irritation and infection in your eyes. You may wake up with sticky, dry eyes.
Contact lenses can cause microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision.
Symptoms of an eye infection include redness, irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, or blurred vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor immediately.
To prevent eye infections, it is important to remove your contacts as soon as you wake up. Use eye drops and blink until they are easy to remove. Then, give your eyes a break and wear your glasses for the rest of the day.
Yes, there are FDA-approved extended-wear contacts that are made from a semipermeable material called silicone hydrogel. These lenses are approved for continuous wear, including overnight. However, it is still important to practice good contact lens hygiene and consult your eye doctor for recommendations.
