Evie Summers
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. One study showed that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times, regardless of the type of lens used. The CDC reports that sleeping in contacts can increase your risk of infection by six to eight times. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. Other risks include corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, corneal hypoxia, and general irritation and inflammation. It is always best to take your contacts out before bed and to follow your eye doctor's directions.
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and should only be used according to your eye doctor’s directions. Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues and substantially raises the risk of eye infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. This is because the lenses limit the cornea's exposure to oxygen and hydration, making it easier for germs to gain a foothold on the surface of your eye.
The decrease in oxygen and hydration becomes even more severe when you are sleeping. Without enough oxygen — a state called hypoxia — the cells in the cornea can become compromised, making it easier for bacteria to get into the deeper layers of the eye and cause infections. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. Serious eye infections can result in permanent vision loss and even blindness in the affected eye.
One common eye infection caused by sleeping with contact lenses is microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. This condition is commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi, viruses, or parasites. Microbial keratitis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss and permanent scarring of the eye, which can cause blindness. Another risk of sleeping with contact lenses is corneal ulcers, which are open sores that form on the cornea. Corneal ulcers can cause significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if not treated quickly and appropriately.
In addition to the risk of eye infection, sleeping with contact lenses can also cause dry, painful, or red eyes due to the lenses absorbing moisture from the eyes. Regularly sleeping with contact lenses can also lead to specific eye conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and corneal hypoxia, a disorder that develops when the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen. It's important to note that even a short nap of less than an hour can increase the risk of developing an infection and discomfort in your eyes.
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Heightened risk of corneal ulcers
Contact lenses are classified as medical devices, and it is generally advised to use them according to an eye doctor's directions. Sleeping with contact lenses on is not recommended by eye specialists, as it can lead to a number of issues. One of the risks associated with sleeping with contact lenses is the heightened risk of corneal ulcers.
Corneal ulcers are open sores that form on the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye. The cornea needs a certain amount of oxygen to stay healthy and function properly. When the cornea does not get enough oxygen, a condition called corneal hypoxia develops. This can lead to blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, pain, discomfort, and irritation.
Corneal ulcers can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, trauma, and contact lens wear. In the case of contact lens wearers, the lenses can reduce airflow and moisture to the eyes, especially during sleep when the eyes are closed. This can create an ideal environment for bacteria or fungi to grow, leading to the formation of ulcers.
The risk of developing corneal ulcers from sleeping with contact lenses is significant. One study found that wearing contacts overnight increased the relative risk of microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea, by more than five times. Additionally, the CDC reports that sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of acquiring any eye infection by six to eight times.
The consequences of corneal ulcers can be severe. If left untreated, corneal ulcers can cause significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of corneal ulcers, such as eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or discharge.
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Potential for corneal hypoxia
The cornea receives oxygen through exposure to the air. When someone sleeps with their contact lenses on, the lenses act as a barrier between the cornea and the tears, limiting the amount of oxygen delivered to the cornea. This is known as 'corneal hypoxia'.
Corneal hypoxia can cause the cornea to swell or develop edema. While the initial symptoms of corneal hypoxia may seem more like an annoyance than a concern, there is also the potential for much more serious problems, including the development of corneal cysts and death of the epithelial cells, both of which can compromise vision. If left untreated, the cornea could be permanently scarred, necessitating the use of medicated eye drops or even surgery.
The risk of corneal hypoxia can be mitigated by ensuring that contact lenses are not worn for longer than recommended, or overnight. If one experiences corneal hypoxia, removing the contact lenses should enable the issue to resolve itself within a few hours to a few days, depending on the severity. Another option is to switch to gas-permeable contact lenses, which are made from a material that enables oxygen to pass through them and reach the surface of the eyes, keeping the cornea oxygenated.
If one suffers from ongoing episodes of corneal hypoxia, an eye doctor may recommend laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK, to reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses in the future.
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Dry, painful, or red eyes
If you experience dry eyes after sleeping with contacts on, it is recommended to gently massage the eyes to stimulate tear production and help separate the contacts from the corneas. You can also put a few drops of contact solution or sterile artificial tear eye drops into your eyes and blink several times to spread the moisture and lubricate the lenses, making them easier to remove. It is important to avoid forcefully removing the lenses as this can damage the cornea.
In addition to dryness, sleeping with contacts can also cause eye pain and redness. This may be due to conditions such as corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can be extremely painful and cause significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Another possible complication is contact lens acute red eye (CLARE), which is characterized by eye pain, redness, and light sensitivity.
If you experience persistent eye pain, redness, or discomfort after sleeping with contacts on, it is important to consult an eye care professional as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as an eye infection, and prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent permanent damage or vision loss.
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Possible long-term issues
Sleeping with contact lenses in can have serious long-term consequences for eye health and vision. Firstly, it increases the risk of eye infections, particularly microbial keratitis, which is an inflammation of the cornea caused by infection. This can lead to permanent scarring and vision loss. In fact, one study found that wearing contacts overnight raised the relative risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times.
Another potential long-term issue is corneal neovascularization, where new blood vessels grow into the cornea. This can occur due to the reduced oxygen supply to the eyes during sleep, which can make them more prone to damage over time.
Additionally, sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of fungal keratitis, which is a fungal infection of the cornea. If left untreated, this condition can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Frequent sleeping in contacts can also lead to corneal ulcers, which are defects in the cornea's surface caused by bacterial infections. These ulcers can be extremely painful and sometimes require surgery.
Finally, it's important to consider the financial implications of sleeping with contacts in. The lenses may not last as long due to nighttime wear and tear, resulting in more frequent replacements. Additionally, dealing with vision problems or eye infections caused by this habit can lead to extra expenses, such as additional trips to the eye doctor and the need to switch to glasses.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving contacts in overnight can lead to eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. It also increases your risk of corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, corneal hypoxia, and corneal neovascularization.
Symptoms of an eye infection include redness, irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, blurred vision, and pain or discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult an eye doctor as soon as possible.
If you accidentally sleep with your contacts on, do not panic. Examine your eyes in the mirror, and if your contacts are stuck, do not remove them. If they move easily, remove them and let your eye practitioner check them before wearing them again. Allow your eyes to rest and recover for at least a day before wearing contacts again.
