Evie Summers
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues, with eye specialists and optometrists recommending against the practice. The most common side effect is dry, painful, or red eyes, but there are more serious complications that can arise. Contact lenses are medical devices and should only be used according to your eye doctor's directions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, corneal hypoxia |
| Dehydration | Dry, sore, red eyes |
| Oxygen deprivation | Swelling of the cornea, blurred vision, corneal damage, permanent vision loss |
| Trapped debris | Scratches, irritation |
| Long-term issues | Changes to the physical structure of the eye, reduced ability of the cornea to regenerate cells, corneal neo vascularization |
| Approved for overnight wear | Extended-wear contacts approved by the FDA |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infections
Sleeping with contact lenses in can have several adverse effects on your eyes, one of the most significant being the increased risk of developing eye infections. Contact lenses are medical devices that should be used according to your eye doctor's directions.
The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. When you sleep with contact lenses in, they 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. As a result, the risk of bacterial or microbial invasion increases, leading to infections such as microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is an inflammation and infection of the cornea and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It can have serious complications, including vision loss and permanent scarring of the eye, which can lead to blindness.
Additionally, when you sleep, your eyes produce fewer tears, leading to dehydrated contact lenses that may stick to your cornea. This provides an opportunity for germs and debris to spread, increasing the risk of infection. The longer you sleep with contact lenses in, the higher the chances of infection.
The risk of eye infections is not limited to microbial keratitis. Sleeping with contacts can also increase the risk of fungal keratitis, especially in regions with mild temperatures and tropical weather. Acanthamoeba keratitis, often associated with microbial eye infections, can occur if you rinse your contacts in tap water, swim with them, or sleep with them in.
Furthermore, contact lenses that are not removed and cleaned regularly can accumulate debris and trap bacteria in your eyes, leading to various infections. The physical structure of your eye's surface can also be affected, with studies showing that prolonged contact lens wear can change the shape of your eye.
In summary, sleeping with contact lenses significantly increases the risk of eye infections, with potential consequences ranging from corneal damage to vision loss and blindness. It is essential to follow the directions provided by your eye doctor and practice good contact lens hygiene to minimize these risks.
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Dry, sore, red eyes
Dry, sore, and red eyes are common consequences of sleeping with your contact lenses in. This is because contact lenses sit over the tear film, inhibiting tear exchange. When your eyes are closed, your tear film cannot perform its protective function, and germs are not washed away. As a result, your eyes may become dehydrated and sticky, causing discomfort and irritation.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, your eyes are deprived of oxygen, which can lead to corneal damage. The cornea relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Without enough oxygen supply, corneal cells can get damaged, leading to blurred vision and an increased risk of infection.
Additionally, your lenses might rub uncomfortably against your cornea as you sleep, increasing the chance of scratches and irritation. This can lead to further dryness, soreness, and redness of the eyes.
If you experience dry, sore, and red eyes after sleeping with contact lenses, it is recommended to remove them as soon as possible and let your eyes recover for at least 24 hours before wearing lenses again. Applying eye drops or artificial tears can help rehydrate and soothe your eyes.
While it may be tempting to leave your contact lenses in while you sleep, it is important to prioritize the health of your eyes. Always remove your contact lenses before bed and practice good contact lens hygiene to avoid potential eye complications.
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Potential for corneal damage
Contact lenses are medical devices that should be used according to an eye doctor's directions. Sleeping with contact lenses in can have several adverse effects on the eyes, with one of the most serious complications being potential damage to the cornea.
The cornea is the protective dome on the surface of the eye. It relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier to oxygen, and when worn overnight, they can deprive the cornea of oxygen, causing it to swell and leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection. Depriving the cornea of oxygen for an extended period can reduce its ability to regenerate cells, particularly on the outer edges, which are crucial for protecting the eyes from bacteria and other invaders. This increases the risk of bacterial infections in the deeper layers of the eye.
Additionally, the tear film plays a vital role in washing away germs and protecting the eyes. When asleep, the eyes do not blink, and the tear film's protective function is diminished. This allows germs to spread more easily, increasing the risk of eye infections. The physical structure of the eye's surface can also be affected, with studies showing that the ocular surface environment can change shape due to prolonged contact lens wear.
Corneal ulcers are another potential complication of sleeping with contact lenses. Ulcers are openings in the cornea that provide a pathway for harmful substances to enter the eye. Acanthamoeba, a microorganism found in water, can cause a serious infection called acanthamoeba keratitis if it enters the eye through a corneal ulcer. This infection can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Furthermore, the risk of developing corneal neovascularization increases with prolonged contact lens wear and misuse. This condition is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels in the cornea, which can lead to reduced transparency and visual disturbances.
In summary, sleeping with contact lenses can have serious consequences for the cornea, including oxygen deprivation, increased risk of infection, corneal ulcers, and corneal neovascularization. It is essential to follow the recommendations of eye care professionals and only use contact lenses as directed to minimize the risk of corneal damage and maintain eye health.
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Oxygen deprivation
The cornea of the eye does not have any blood vessels, so it relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. When a person is asleep, their eyes are closed, which reduces the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier to oxygen reaching the cornea.
Additionally, when the cornea is deprived of oxygen, the epithelial cells on its surface can suffer injury and start to deteriorate and die. While these cells can usually repair themselves, repeated oxygen deprivation can reduce the cornea's ability to regenerate, increasing the risk of corneal damage and permanent vision loss.
If you accidentally sleep with your contacts in, it is important to let your eyes breathe by removing the contacts. However, it is crucial to do this gently, as the lenses may be dehydrated and stuck to the cornea. Blinking and using eye drops can help to lubricate the eyes and separate the contacts from the cornea before removal.
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Trapped debris
The tear film that covers the surface of the eye protects it from bacteria and debris. When you blink, you refresh the tear film, adding new fluid and clearing out the old. However, when you sleep with contact lenses in, the tear film's protective function is inhibited, and germs are not washed away. This gives germs the opportunity to spread, increasing the risk of eye infections.
Contact lenses can also get stuck to your cornea when you sleep with them in. When you wake up, your contacts are likely to be dehydrated and possibly stuck to your cornea. If you rip them out, you could damage your cornea. The correct way to remove them is to blink a few times to get the tears flowing again, which will eventually separate the contacts from your cornea. You can also put a few drops of saline or eye drops into your eyes to help with this process.
Sleeping with contact lenses in can also cause scratches and irritation to your cornea as the lenses may rub uncomfortably against it. This can lead to corneal ulcers, which is when an open sore forms on your cornea. This painful condition can cause significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if not treated quickly and appropriately.
Additionally, wearing contact lenses while sleeping can trap bacteria and other microorganisms against the cornea, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply and cause infections such as microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is the inflammation and infection of the cornea and can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. If left untreated, it can lead to persistent eye scarring that can result in blindness and visual loss.
In summary, sleeping with contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and vision loss due to the trapping of debris, bacteria, and other microorganisms against the cornea. It is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping to avoid these potential eye health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
This can cut off the oxygen supply to your eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections, redness, irritation, and permanent damage to your cornea.
Studies show that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of eye infections by five to eight times, regardless of the type of lens used.
Symptoms of an eye infection include redness, irritation, and dry eyes.
Don't panic. Apply a few drops of saline or eye drops to your eyes and blink until the contacts feel normal again. Then, carefully remove the contacts and let your eyes rest for 24 hours.
Yes, there are extended-wear contacts that are approved by the FDA for overnight wear. However, it's important to consult your eye doctor to find out if this type of lens is suitable for you.
