Miya Pearson
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a number of issues. Your eyes may become dry, painful, irritated, and red. Leaving contacts in while you sleep also puts you at risk of contracting eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. According to the CDC, sleeping with contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | 6-8 times higher |
| Oxygen deprivation | Hypoxia |
| Bacterial infection | Bacterial keratitis, corneal ulcer |
| Fungal infection | Fungal keratitis |
| Corneal damage | Swelling, blurred vision, corneal breakdown |
| Redness and <co: 10,15,18>irritation | Sticky, painful, inflamed eyes |
| Permanent vision loss | Blindness |
| Scarring |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses can have serious consequences for your eye health, with one of the most significant risks being an increased chance of eye infection. This is due to a number of factors, including oxygen deprivation and the creation of an optimal environment for bacterial growth.
The cornea of your eye requires oxygen to stay healthy, which it usually gets from the atmosphere. When you sleep with contact lenses in, the amount of oxygen available to the cornea is significantly reduced, leading to a condition known as hypoxia. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, break down and become more vulnerable to bacteria. Additionally, soft contact lenses can retain water and debris or bacteria that enters the eye throughout the day. If lenses are not cleaned properly, this further increases the risk of infection.
The combination of oxygen deprivation and bacterial growth creates a "perfect storm" for infection. The most common infection caused by sleeping in contact lenses is bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea. This can lead to corneal ulcers, which are painful defects in the cornea's surface. Bacterial keratitis can be treated with aggressive antibiotics, but it can sometimes result in long-term vision issues or even blindness if left untreated. Other possible infections include microbial keratitis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and fungal keratitis.
The risk of infection is increased regardless of the type of lens used, with studies showing that sleeping with contacts raises the risk of infection by six to eight times. This risk is present even with short naps, with one study finding that wearing contacts overnight increased the risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times. Therefore, it is always recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene to protect your eye health.
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Oxygen deprivation
Oxygen is essential for eye health. While you are awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. However, contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, your eyes are closed, further reducing the amount of oxygen available to the cornea from the atmosphere. This can lead to a condition called corneal hypoxia, where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the corneal cells can break down and become damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
One of the main risks of oxygen deprivation is an increased vulnerability to bacterial infections. The cornea relies on oxygen to function as part of the eye's natural defence against contaminants. When deprived of oxygen, the cornea's ability to regenerate cells, especially on its outer edges, is reduced. This makes it easier for bacteria to invade the deeper layers of the eye and cause infections. The contact lenses themselves can also trap bacteria, providing a good environment for bacterial growth, leading to infections such as bacterial keratitis, which can cause corneal ulcers and permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Additionally, oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, resulting in irritation, blurred vision, and redness. This can lead to further complications when removing the contact lenses, as the dryness and stickiness can make it difficult to take them out, potentially causing damage to the eyes.
To summarise, sleeping with contact lenses can lead to oxygen deprivation, making the eyes more susceptible to bacterial infections and causing various symptoms such as irritation, redness, and blurred vision. It is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene to maintain eye health and prevent infections.
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Corneal damage
Sleeping with contact lenses can have serious consequences for eye health, and it is not recommended by eye specialists. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. When there isn't enough oxygen supply, corneal cells can get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications. While you are awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen can flow in through the tears you produce. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, you are depriving your cornea of oxygen, which may cause it to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection. If this happens repeatedly, you will reduce the cornea's ability to regenerate cells, especially on its outer edges, which are crucial for protecting your eyes from invaders. This increases the ability of bacteria to get into the deeper layers of the eye and cause infections. The risk of infection is increased by six to eight times, according to the CDC, and these infections may result in corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision.
The lack of oxygen to the cornea can cause the cornea to break down and become vulnerable to bacteria that are harboured in the contact lens. Soft contacts can retain water but can also cling on to debris or bacteria that get into the eye throughout the day. If lenses are not cleaned properly, the risk of infection increases. This is made worse by sleeping with contact lenses in, as the lenses can accumulate debris, causing an immune response and bacterial infection.
The most common eye infection caused by sleeping with contact lenses is microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. It can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. Other possible infections include fungal keratitis, bacterial keratitis, and conjunctivitis. These infections can lead to corneal ulcers, which are painful defects in the cornea's surface. While some corneal ulcers can be treated with aggressive antibiotics, they can still cause long-term vision issues, depending on their location.
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Dry, painful, red eyes
Dry, painful, and red eyes are common problems if you leave your contact lenses in while sleeping. This is because your eyes are not getting enough oxygen and hydration. When you are awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and oxygen flows in through the tears you produce. However, when you sleep with your contact lenses in, the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes can access is significantly reduced. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, or an infection.
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 an extra barrier against oxygen. Additionally, contact lenses can trap bacteria and microorganisms in your eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections. The risk of infection is further heightened by the fact that lenses that have not been removed overnight have the potential to accumulate debris, triggering an immune response in the eye.
The combination of oxygen deprivation and bacterial growth can lead to serious eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which is the inflammation and infection of the cornea. This condition can cause vision loss and permanent scarring. Other possible infections include fungal keratitis, bacterial keratitis, and conjunctivitis. These infections can have severe consequences, including corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision.
If you accidentally sleep with your contact lenses in, it is important to remove them as soon as possible. If they are stuck, do not tug at them. Instead, place several drops of sterile artificial tear eye drops in your eyes and wait 5-10 minutes before attempting to remove the lenses. It is recommended to then let your eyes rest for a full day and pay attention to any symptoms of infection. If you notice any issues, contact your eye doctor immediately.
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Potential permanent vision loss
Sleeping with contact lenses on can have serious consequences for eye health and vision. One of the most significant risks is the development of eye infections, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
The cornea, the front surface of the eye, relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats the eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. During sleep, the eyes are closed, further decreasing oxygen availability. This oxygen deprivation can cause the cornea to swell, leading to irritation, blurred vision, and increased vulnerability to bacterial infections.
Infections such as microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea, are more likely to occur when contact lenses are worn overnight. Studies show that sleeping with contacts increases the risk of microbial keratitis by more than five times and the risk of any eye infection by six to eight times. These infections can have severe consequences, including permanent vision loss and corneal scarring.
Another potential complication is fungal keratitis, an infection of the cornea caused by fungi. While this condition is often associated with eye trauma involving plants or branches, sleeping with contact lenses can also increase the risk. If left untreated, fungal keratitis can lead to blindness.
Additionally, corneal ulcers, defects on the surface of the cornea caused by bacterial infections, can result from sleeping with contact lenses. While these ulcers may not always affect vision, their impact depends on their location on the cornea. In some cases, corneal ulcers can significantly impair vision, similar to a sticker obstructing your view through a windshield.
To prevent these complications and reduce the risk of potential permanent vision loss, it is crucial to remove contact lenses before sleep and practice proper contact lens hygiene.
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Frequently asked questions
Your eyes will likely feel dry, irritated, and painful. You may also experience blurred vision and redness.
Sleeping with contact lenses in can cut off the oxygen your eyes need, increasing the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. This can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and, in rare cases, loss of vision.
If the lenses are stuck, do not panic or tug at them. Examine them in the mirror, and if they are stuck, place several drops of sterile artificial tear eye drops in your eyes. Wait 5-10 minutes, and then the lenses can usually be easily removed.
