Miya Pearson
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes may seem harmless, but it can have serious consequences. It is a common habit, with around one-third of contact lens wearers falling asleep with their lenses still in. While some contact lenses are approved for overnight wear, it is generally not recommended as it can cause eye dryness, irritation, and discomfort. More seriously, it can also increase the risk of eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and even loss of vision. The risk of infection is significantly higher, with studies showing it can be up to six to eight times more likely. Therefore, it is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping and to practice good contact lens hygiene to protect your eye health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Six to eight times higher |
| Types of eye infections | Microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, corneal hypoxia |
| Other issues | Corneal damage, surgery, loss of vision, corneal scratches, corneal injuries, corneal irritation, corneal inflammation, corneal scarring |
| Contact lens issues | Hard to remove, dry, stiff, sticky |
| Eye issues | Dry, sore, red, irritated, discomfort, blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, pain |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections by six to eight times. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture available to the cornea. This can lead to corneal hypoxia, where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. As a result, corneal cells can get damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications.
The risk of microbial keratitis, an infection and inflammation of the cornea, is significantly increased when sleeping with contact lenses. This condition is commonly caused by bacteria but can also be viral, fungal, or parasitic. If left untreated, microbial keratitis can lead to permanent scarring of the eye and even blindness. Acanthamoeba keratitis, an inflammation caused by poor contact lens hygiene, can also develop when sleeping with contact lenses. This type of infection can occur if there is a scrape on your eye, allowing the organism to enter through water or contact lens solution.
Fungal keratitis is another type of infection that can occur when sleeping with contact lenses. It is caused by various types of fungi and is more common in tropical areas. However, it can happen in any climate. Fungal keratitis can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated and may require surgery or a corneal transplant in severe cases. Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and corneal damage are other potential eye infections that can result from sleeping with contact lenses.
It is important to note that these infections can occur regardless of whether the contact lenses are for vision correction or decorative purposes. While some extended-wear contact lenses are approved for overnight use, they can still lead to eye irritation and infections if worn for too long. Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping to reduce the risk of eye infections.
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Dry, sore, or red eyes
Secondly, contact lenses disrupt the function and stability of the tear film. This can cause tears to evaporate more quickly, leading to dry eyes. This dryness can result in a gritty, stinging, or burning feeling in the eyes, as well as blurred vision. Additionally, the friction between the lens and the eye can further irritate the eye, making it red and sensitive to light.
To alleviate dry, sore, or red eyes caused by contact lenses, there are several options. Firstly, removing the contact lenses can help, as this will allow the eyes to recover. Getting new lenses or refitting the current ones may also be necessary, especially if the lenses are defective or torn, as this can scratch the eye and increase the risk of infection.
For dryness, eye drops can be used to lubricate the eyes and reduce friction. Doctors may prescribe eye drops containing cyclosporine or loteprednol, or recommend over-the-counter options. Steroid eye drops should be used with caution due to potential side effects. Additionally, a nasal spray containing varenicline tartrate can stimulate tear production.
For redness, rinsing the eyes with sterile saline solution or artificial tears can flush out any debris contributing to redness. Allergies to disinfecting contact lens solutions can also cause redness, so switching to products labeled "Sensitive Eyes" or "Thimerosal-Free" may help.
If symptoms persist, it is important to consult an eye care provider, as redness, pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes can indicate more serious issues. An optometrist or ophthalmologist can conduct an eye examination and recommend appropriate treatments.
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Corneal damage
Sleeping with contact lenses puts people at a higher risk of eye infections. The cornea 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 and moisture the eyes can access. This can lead to a condition called hypoxia, where the corneal cells can get damaged.
A healthy cornea is part of the eye's natural defence against contaminants. However, when the cornea does not receive enough oxygen and hydration, it becomes more vulnerable to bacterial or microbial invasion. This can result in various infections, including microbial keratitis, an inflammation and infection of the cornea. Microbial keratitis is often caused by bacteria, but it can also be viral, fungal, or parasitic. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent scarring of the eye, causing blindness.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is another type of infection that can occur when sleeping with contact lenses. It is an inflammation caused by poor contact lens hygiene, such as swimming or showering with lenses. The risk of this infection increases when sleeping with lenses as they can trap microorganisms against the cornea, providing an ideal environment for their growth.
Fungal keratitis is also a potential risk, especially in regions with mild to tropical weather. This infection can lead to vision loss and is one of the leading causes of blindness in India.
Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and corneal hypoxia are other eye conditions that can arise from sleeping with contact lenses. Corneal hypoxia occurs when the cornea doesn't receive enough oxygen, leading to symptoms like blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, and pain or discomfort.
In summary, sleeping with contact lenses can lead to corneal damage by increasing the risk of eye infections, reducing oxygen and moisture levels, and causing direct trauma to the corneal surface. Regularly sleeping with contact lenses can have serious consequences for eye health and vision.
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Vision loss
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can have several adverse effects, including vision loss.
Firstly, contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. This can lead to a condition called corneal hypoxia, where the cornea does not receive enough oxygen. This can cause corneal cells to become damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications, including vision impairment.
Secondly, the risk of eye infections increases significantly when sleeping with contact lenses. The cornea comes into contact with bacteria and microorganisms every day, but infections rarely occur due to its natural defences. However, contact lenses can trap these bacteria and microorganisms, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply, leading to infections such as microbial keratitis and bacterial keratitis. If left untreated, these infections can result in permanent vision loss and even blindness.
Additionally, contact lenses can cause dryness, irritation, and discomfort when worn overnight. This can lead to potential damage to the corneal surface, further increasing the risk of infections and vision-related issues.
While some contact lenses are approved for extended wear, it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping to minimise the risk of eye infections and vision loss.
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Difficulty removing contacts
Sleeping with contact lenses on is not recommended, as it can lead to several eye health risks. Firstly, it increases the risk of eye infections. The cornea needs adequate oxygen and hydration to fight bacterial or microbial invasions. However, when contacts are worn during sleep, they act as a blockade, reducing the amount of oxygen and moisture the eyes can access. This oxygen deprivation can lead to corneal hypoxia, where the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen, resulting in blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, pain, and discomfort.
Additionally, sleeping in contacts can cause corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can lead to significant vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if left untreated. The risk of fungal and bacterial keratitis also increases, with bacterial keratitis resulting from bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In rare cases, these infections can lead to corneal damage, surgery, and loss of vision.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts on, it is important to remain calm and not panic. Do not remove the contacts immediately, as they are likely to be dry and sticky, which can cause discomfort and even damage when removed. Instead, start by gently massaging your eyes to get some moisture moving, and then try to nudge the lenses out gently. If you are still struggling to remove them, you can place several drops of sterile artificial tears or rewetting eye drops in your eyes and wait for a few minutes before trying again.
In some cases, the contacts may have shifted under the eyelid, making it difficult to determine their exact location. It is important to remember that contacts cannot get lost behind your eyes, as it is not anatomically possible for them to get behind the eyeball. If you are experiencing symptoms such as redness, excessive watering, or discharge after removing the contacts, contact your eye doctor immediately to rule out any potential infections.
To prevent this situation from occurring in the future, it is recommended to remove contacts at least an hour before bedtime to give your eyes additional recovery time and reduce the risk of forgetting to take them out.
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Frequently asked questions
Your eyes may feel dry, sore, or red. Your contacts will likely feel dried out and sticky and be hard to remove. You may also experience corneal damage, such as scratches or corneal ulcers.
The risk of eye infection is six to eight times higher if you sleep with your contacts in. Types of infections include microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and conjunctivitis.
Take your contacts out as soon as you wake up to minimize the risk of infection. If you experience any dryness or irritation, apply eye drops to restore moisture to your eyes.
Yes, some contacts are FDA-approved for overnight wear and are referred to as "extended-wear contacts." However, even with extended-wear contacts, it is not recommended to wear them for too long as it can expose you to eye irritation and infections.
