Evie Summers
Sleeping with soft contact lenses can increase the risk of eye problems. While it may be tempting to keep your lenses in while you snooze, doing so can have consequences for your eye health. It is estimated that around a third of contact lens wearers sleep with their lenses in, but this habit creates an optimal environment for bacteria to enter the eye area. This can lead to infections such as keratitis, corneal ulcers, and in rare cases, even vision loss or blindness. While there are some lenses designed for extended wear, it is generally recommended to remove your lenses before bed to reduce the risk of eye complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of infection | 6-8 times more likely; risk increases with wear time; risk of microbial keratitis is over 5 times higher |
| Corneal damage | The cornea's surface can be damaged, impacting its ability to regenerate fresh cells |
| Corneal inflammation | Risk of Ancanthamoeba keratitis, fungal keratitis, and bacterial keratitis |
| Dryness | Oxygen flow to the cornea is reduced, causing dryness and discomfort |
| Vision issues | Can lead to vision loss or blindness when left untreated |
| Ulcers | Corneal ulcers can develop, causing pain and potentially long-term vision issues |
| Intolerance | Overwearing can lead to contact lens intolerance |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infections
Sleeping in soft contact lenses can have serious impacts on eye health, increasing the risk of eye infections. Firstly, soft contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. This can damage the cornea's surface and impair its ability to protect itself from microorganisms, making it more vulnerable to bacteria. The longer the lenses are worn, the greater the risk of infection.
Secondly, wearing contact lenses overnight gives bacteria more time to develop into an infection. This can cause corneal ulcers (bacterial keratitis), a painful defect in the cornea's surface. Bacterial keratitis can be treated with antibiotics, but it can lead to long-term vision issues if left untreated. Even with appropriate contact lens care, protein and lipid buildup on the lens can cause discomfort and inflammation.
Thirdly, soft contact lenses can increase the risk of fungal keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea caused by a fungal infection. This type of infection is more common in tropical areas but can occur in any climate. It can lead to vision loss or blindness if untreated.
Finally, sleeping in soft contact lenses can increase the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis, an inflammation caused by an amoeba infection. Poor contact lens hygiene, such as swimming or showering with lenses, increases the risk of this infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis can develop if the eye has a scrape, which may be caused by an injury or regular contact lens wear, and the organism enters through water or contact lens solution.
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Corneal ulcers
Contact lenses are generally considered safe, but improper care or overuse can have serious consequences for eye health. Sleeping in contact lenses is one such habit that can lead to corneal ulcers, a painful defect on the surface of the cornea.
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue layer at the front of the eye. It is delicate and vital for clear sight, responsible for focusing the light that enters the eye. The cornea is constantly lubricated by a tear film, which delivers oxygen to the cornea and maintains a moist environment.
When contact lenses are worn overnight, the flow of tears and oxygen delivery to the cornea is impaired, causing hypoxia and hypercapnia of the corneal epithelium, which can lead to ischemic necrosis. This creates an optimal environment for bacteria to enter the eye area, leading to a bacterial infection known as keratitis. This infection can result in an ulcer, a wound-like sore on the cornea.
The risk of developing corneal ulcers increases with the duration of continuous contact lens wear. Overnight wear is a major risk factor, with those who sleep in their contact lenses being 6-8 times more likely to develop an eye infection. Other risk factors include the type of contact lens, with extended-wear soft contact lenses having a higher incidence of corneal ulcers compared to daily-wear soft contact lenses or rigid contact lenses.
Treatment for corneal ulcers typically involves antibiotic, antifungal, or antiseptic eye drops. In some cases, injections or corneal transplants may be necessary.
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Dryness and irritation
Sleeping in your contact lenses can cause dryness and irritation, which can lead to discomfort and an increased risk of corneal damage. While it may be tempting to keep your lenses in while you sleep, especially if you're feeling tired after a long day, doing so can negatively impact your eye health.
When you sleep with your contact lenses in, the lenses can become drier and tighter on your eye. This can cause discomfort and make it more challenging to remove the lenses when you wake up. The dryness and tightness of the lenses can also increase the risk of damaging your cornea during the removal process. To mitigate this, you can use contact lens rewetting drops to hydrate the lenses before attempting to take them out. Once the lenses are removed, you may also benefit from using hydrating eye drops to alleviate any dryness or irritation in your eyes.
Additionally, it's important to understand that sleeping in your contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea. This can damage the surface of your cornea and impair its ability to regenerate fresh cells, making it more vulnerable to bacterial infections such as corneal ulcers (bacterial keratitis). The risk of developing microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation caused by infection, is over five times higher when you sleep with your contact lenses in.
To maintain optimal eye health, it is generally recommended to remove your contact lenses before bedtime. If you accidentally fall asleep with your lenses in and experience lasting discomfort or visual issues, it is crucial to contact your optometrist as soon as possible to ensure there is no damage to your eyes.
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Hypoxia and impaired cornea function
While it is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before sleeping, there are some lenses that are FDA-approved for extended wear, including overnight use. However, sleeping in soft contact lenses can lead to hypoxia, which is a condition where the cornea receives insufficient oxygen. This occurs because the lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea.
Soft contact lenses, which are the most popular type of lenses, are made from flexible plastic that conforms to the shape of the eye. While newer materials like silicone hydrogels have improved oxygen permeability, extended wear still poses a risk of hypoxia. This is because, over time, the lenses can become drier and tighter on the eye, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of corneal damage.
Hypoxia can have significant implications for eye health. Firstly, it impairs the cornea's ability to regenerate fresh cells, making the cornea more vulnerable to bacterial infections. The reduced oxygen supply also weakens the cornea's natural defence mechanism against microorganisms, increasing the risk of infections such as microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation. Additionally, the dryness caused by hypoxia can lead to discomfort and make it more difficult to remove the lenses, further increasing the risk of corneal damage.
The risk of hypoxia and its associated complications is higher with soft contact lenses compared to rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. RGP lenses cover less surface area of the eye, allowing better oxygen and moisture retention. Therefore, it is essential to follow the recommendations of eye care professionals regarding the appropriate type of lenses and wear time to minimise the risk of hypoxia and maintain eye health.
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Acanthamoeba keratitis
Contact lens wearers are at a particularly high risk of developing Acanthamoeba keratitis due to poor lens hygiene or wearing lenses while swimming, using a hot tub, or showering. In fact, one study found that 75% of patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis were contact lens wearers, with 40% wearing daily soft lenses, 22% wearing rigid gas permeable lenses, and 38% wearing extended-wear or other lenses. Another case-control study found that daily-wear reusable lens users were three times more likely to develop Acanthamoeba keratitis than daily disposable lens users.
To reduce the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis, contact lens wearers should practice proper lens hygiene, including washing their hands with soap and water before handling lenses, removing lenses before showering or swimming, and cleaning, rubbing, and rinsing lenses every time they are removed. It is also important to never use tap water or even saline to clean lenses, as this can increase the risk of infection.
If you experience any symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis, it is important to see an eye doctor or ophthalmologist right away, as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for optimal outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping with soft contacts can increase the risk of eye problems. Soft contacts can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea, which can damage its surface and impact its ability to regenerate fresh cells, increasing the risk of infection.
Sleeping with soft contacts can cause corneal infections, such as microbial keratitis, a form of corneal inflammation caused by infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis can also be caused by sleeping with soft contacts.
Symptoms of these infections include pain, vision changes, and corneal ulcers.
If you accidentally sleep with your soft contacts in, use contact lens rewetting drops to hydrate the lens, which will make it easier to remove. Once the lenses are out, use hydrating eye drops to reduce dryness. If you experience any discomfort or visual issues, contact your optometrist.
