Evie Summers
Sleeping with hard contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. Ophthalmologist Allison Babiuch, MD, explains that it is important to give the eyes a break and let the cornea breathe. When your eyes and contacts dry out, you can cause damage when you finally remove them. Sleeping with contacts in can cut off the oxygen your eyes need, increasing the risk of eye infections, corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. It can also cause redness, irritation, blurred vision, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and corneal hypoxia.
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with hard contact lenses in can have several adverse effects on your eyes, one of which is an increased risk of eye infection.
Contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture available to your eyes. While you are asleep, your eyes are closed, further reducing the oxygen supply to your cornea. This oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, can cause the corneal cells to become damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
Additionally, wearing contact lenses while sleeping can trap bacteria and microorganisms in your eyes, increasing the likelihood of an infection. The combination of reduced oxygen transmission through the lenses, the lack of eye movement during sleep, and the introduction of airborne pollutants to the lenses during the day creates an environment where bacterial infections can thrive.
The risk of eye infections is particularly high with overnight contact lens wear. Studies have shown that sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times compared to those who do not sleep with their lenses in. This risk is not limited to those wearing corrective lenses, as decorative lens wearers are also at an increased risk of infection.
Infections can lead to serious adverse health outcomes, including corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss. Therefore, it is essential to remove your contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene to protect your eyes from infection.
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Dehydration of the eyes
The dehydration caused by sleeping with contacts can lead to discomfort and serious long-term issues. The lenses themselves may become dehydrated and stick to the cornea, making them difficult and painful to remove. This can cause redness, irritation, and sensitivity to light, as well as blurred vision.
To alleviate dehydration, it is recommended to blink and use eye drops or saline solution to rewet the eyes and help separate the contacts from the cornea. It is important to be gentle and avoid forcefully removing the lenses, as this can damage the cornea.
In addition to dehydration, sleeping with contacts can increase the risk of eye infections, including microbial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and bacterial keratitis. These infections can have severe consequences, including corneal damage, permanent vision loss, and even blindness.
Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to give the eyes time to recover and rehydrate. Extended-wear contact lenses approved for overnight use are available, but even with these, proper lens hygiene and regular eye examinations are crucial to maintaining eye health.
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Lack of oxygen to the cornea
The cornea, the clear outermost layer of the eye, requires oxygen to stay healthy. While the cornea receives oxygen from the atmosphere, it does not have enough blood vessels to meet all of its oxygen needs. As a result, wearing contact lenses overnight can lead to corneal hypoxia, a state in which the cornea does not receive enough oxygen.
During sleep, the eyes receive less oxygen due to being closed. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier to oxygen, exacerbating the reduction in 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 risk of eye infections is further heightened by the trapping of bacteria and microorganisms between the contact lenses and the eyes.
Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, is commonly associated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacteria found on the human body and in the environment. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the likelihood of bacterial keratitis, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that it raises the risk of eye infections by six to eight times.
Corneal hypoxia can also lead to more severe consequences, such as the death of epithelial cells and permanent vision loss. Additionally, infections may require surgical treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to remove contact lenses before sleeping to prevent oxygen deprivation and the associated risks to corneal health.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts still in, it is important to handle their removal carefully. Upon waking, wait until oxygen reaches the surface of your eyes, allowing the swelling of the cornea to subside. Using eye drops to re-wet your eyes can facilitate this process. Blink to promote tear production and help separate the contacts from your corneas. Once the contacts feel normal, you can safely remove them.
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Potential for corneal damage
The cornea of the eye 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, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses act as an additional barrier to oxygen, increasing the risk of corneal hypoxia, a condition where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, and an increased risk of infection.
Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacteria found on the human body and in the environment. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of developing bacterial keratitis by six to eight times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk is further heightened if individuals wear extended-wear contact lenses, have a compromised immune system, or have sustained a previous eye injury.
In addition to bacterial keratitis, sleeping in contact lenses has been linked to fungal keratitis, particularly in regions with mild and tropical climates. Acanthamoeba keratitis, a microbial eye infection, has also been associated with sleeping in contact lenses, especially when combined with rinsing contacts in tap water or swimming while wearing them. These infections can lead to serious corneal damage and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss.
The risk of corneal damage from sleeping in contact lenses is significant, and it is essential to take preventative measures. Proper contact lens hygiene and adherence to recommendations for lens wear and care are crucial to minimize the risk of corneal infections and associated damage.
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Possible permanent vision loss
While sleeping with hard contacts in may not seem like a big deal, it can have serious consequences for your eyes. One of the main risks is the increased likelihood of eye infections. During sleep, your eyes are closed, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea. Contact lenses further decrease oxygen and moisture levels, causing a state called hypoxia. This oxygen deprivation can damage corneal cells and increase the risk of bacterial infections, such as bacterial keratitis.
Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea, typically caused by bacteria commonly found in the environment and on the human body, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Contact lens wear increases the risk of this infection, especially when lenses are worn overnight. If left untreated, bacterial keratitis can lead to permanent corneal damage and vision loss.
Another risk associated with sleeping in contacts is fungal keratitis, a fungal infection of the cornea. This infection is more common in tropical regions but can occur in any climate. Contact lens wear is a significant risk factor, especially when combined with eye trauma, such as contact with a plant or stick. Fungal keratitis can lead to blindness if not treated promptly.
Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by a tiny organism found in water sources and soil, is another potential complication. Poor contact lens hygiene, such as swimming or showering with lenses, increases the risk of this infection. Sleeping in lenses overnight further enhances susceptibility to Acanthamoeba keratitis, which can lead to vision loss or blindness.
While permanent vision loss is a rare complication, it underscores the importance of proper contact lens hygiene and removing lenses before sleep. If you accidentally fall asleep with contacts in, remove them as soon as possible, and consider letting your eyes rest for a day before wearing lenses again. If you notice any signs of infection, seek medical attention promptly to prevent serious eye damage and potential vision loss.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping with hard contacts in can cause eye dryness, redness, irritation, and inflammation.
Sleeping with hard contacts in can cut off the oxygen supply to your eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and in rare cases, loss of vision.
If you accidentally sleep with your hard contacts in, do not panic. Allow your eyes to rehydrate by blinking or using eye drops, then carefully remove the contacts. Avoid wearing contacts for 24 hours to let your eyes recover.
If you need to sleep with your hard contacts in, consult an eye doctor to see if you are a candidate for extended-wear lenses. Practice good contact lens hygiene and avoid wearing your contacts for extended periods of time.
