No, you really shouldn’t sleep in contact lenses. While it might seem convenient, and some people even have lenses that claim to be “extended wear,” the risks almost always outweigh the benefits. Sleeping in contacts significantly increases your chances of serious eye infections, discomfort, and even permanent vision damage. Your eyes need oxygen, and contacts, especially while you’re asleep with your eyelids closed, largely cut off that supply. This creates a prime environment for bacteria to grow and cause trouble.
Our corneas, the front clear part of our eyes, don’t have blood vessels like other parts of our body. They get their oxygen directly from the air. When you wear contact lenses, you’re essentially putting a barrier between your cornea and its essential oxygen supply. This is true even when you’re awake, but it becomes much more pronounced when you sleep.
The Oxygen Deprivation Problem
When your eyelids are closed for several hours during sleep, the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea is drastically reduced. Now, add a contact lens on top of that, and your cornea is really struggling. This lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, can lead to several problems:
- Corneal Swelling: Your cornea can become swollen, leading to blurry vision and discomfort. This swelling makes it more vulnerable to infection.
- Reduced Natural Protection: Oxygen is crucial for maintaining the health of your corneal cells, which act as a barrier against bacteria and other pathogens. When oxygen is low, this natural defense system weakens.
- Blood Vessel Growth (Neovascularization): In severe cases of chronic oxygen deprivation, your body might try to compensate by growing tiny blood vessels into your cornea to deliver oxygen. While this sounds helpful, these new vessels are often fragile and can leak, leading to further vision problems and scarring.
The Role of Tears
Tears are more than just water; they’re a complex mixture of oils, water, and mucus that lubricate your eyes, wash away debris, and deliver essential nutrients. When you’re awake and blinking, your tear film is constantly refreshed. However, when you sleep, tear production slows down considerably.
- Stagnant Tears: Tears under a contact lens become stagnant when you’re sleeping. This means they’re not effectively flushing out debris and microbes that might have accumulated throughout the day.
- Reduced Lubrication: Less tear production means your eyes dry out more easily. A dry eye under a contact lens is more prone to irritation and tiny scratches that can become entry points for infection.
The Increased Risk of Infection
This is the big one. Sleeping in contacts is a primary risk factor for a nasty eye infection called microbial keratitis. This isn’t just a mild irritation; it can be very serious and, in some cases, lead to permanent vision loss or even require a corneal transplant.
What is Microbial Keratitis?
Microbial keratitis is an infection of the cornea, typically caused by bacteria, fungi, or amoebae. Contacts create a perfect storm for these microbes:
- Dark, Warm, Moist Environment: Your eye, with a contact lens and closed eyelid, provides a really inviting spot for bacteria to multiply.
- Reduced Oxygen: As mentioned, a lack of oxygen weakens the eye’s natural defenses, making it easier for microbes to take hold.
- Micro-Scratches: Even careful contact lens wear can cause tiny, microscopic abrasions on the cornea. When you’re sleeping in lenses, these minor injuries, combined with the lack of oxygen and stagnant tears, become prime entry points for infection.
Common Culprits
Several types of microbes are particularly problematic for contact lens wearers who sleep in their lenses:
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: This bacterium is a common cause of severe contact lens-related infections. It can grow rapidly and produce toxins that quickly damage the cornea, often leading to painful ulcers and potential vision loss.
- Acanthamoeba: This is a particularly dangerous type of amoeba found in water sources (tap water, pools, hot tubs). If you’re rinsing your lenses with tap water or getting them wet while showering with them in, and then sleeping in them, you significantly increase your risk of this rare but devastating infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis is extremely difficult to treat and can result in blindness.
- Fungi: Fungal infections can also occur, especially in warmer, humid climates, or if you’ve been exposed to plant material. They are also challenging to treat.
Discomfort and Irritation
Beyond the serious infection risks, sleeping in contacts also brings a host of uncomfortable issues that can make your eyes feel awful the next day.
Dry Eye Syndrome
As discussed, tear production decreases during sleep. Adding a contact lens to this equation means your eye will likely feel very dry and gritty when you wake up.
- Foreign Body Sensation: It’ll feel like there’s something constantly in your eye.
- Redness and Irritation: Your eyes will look and feel irritated, often bloodshot.
- Blurry Vision: Dryness can temporarily blur your vision until your eyes re-lubricate.
Lens Adherence
Sometimes, if your eyes get very dry overnight, the contact lens can actually stick to your eye. This makes it difficult and potentially painful to remove them in the morning. Trying to pry a dry, stuck lens off your cornea can cause further irritation or even damage.
Protein and Lipid Buildup
Over the course of a day, natural proteins and lipids from your tears, along with environmental debris, can build up on your contact lenses. This is why proper cleaning and storage are so important.
- Reduced Oxygen Permeability: This buildup can further reduce the oxygen flow to your cornea.
- Increased Irritation: The deposits can make the lenses less comfortable and feel scratchy.
- Bacterial Playground: These deposits also provide a surface for bacteria to cling to and multiply. When you sleep in your lenses, this buildup has hours to accumulate and cause problems.
The “Extended Wear” Exception (With Caveats)
You might have heard of contact lenses approved for “extended wear” or even “continuous wear” for several days or weeks. It’s important to understand what this truly means and the significant disclaimers that come with it.
What are Extended Wear Lenses?
These lenses are typically made from highly breathable silicone hydrogel materials that allow more oxygen to reach the eye compared to older hydrogel lenses. They are designed and approved by regulatory bodies (like the FDA) for overnight wear for a specified period (e.g., up to 7 days, or up to 30 days, depending on the lens type).
Higher Risk, Even with Approved Lenses
Even with these advanced lenses, the risk of infection is still higher than with daily disposable lenses or lenses removed every night. Studies consistently show that sleeping in any type of contact lens, even those approved for extended wear, increases your risk of microbial keratitis by several times compared to never sleeping in lenses.
- Individual Susceptibility: Not everyone’s eyes can tolerate extended wear. Some people are more prone to dryness, irritation, or infection, regardless of the lens type.
- Hygiene Habits: Even with extended wear lenses, proper hygiene is still crucial. If you’re not carefully following your eye care professional’s instructions for cleaning (if applicable) and handling, your risks go up.
- Regular Check-ups: If you do wear extended wear lenses, regular check-ups with your eye doctor are even more critical. They need to monitor your eye health closely for any signs of complications.
When Extended Wear Might Be Considered
For a very small percentage of people, extended wear might be discussed with an eye care professional in specific situations, such as:
- Occupational Needs: Certain professions where removing and inserting lenses is impractical (e.g., military personnel in the field, first responders).
- Severe Refractive Error: In rare cases where very high prescriptions make daily handling difficult.
- Specific Eye Conditions: Occasionally, for therapeutic reasons under strict medical supervision.
**Crucially, this decision should only be made in consultation with your eye doctor, who can assess your individual eye health, lifestyle, and explain the specific risks involved.** And even then, they will likely recommend taking breaks from overnight wear whenever possible.
What to Do If You Accidentally Sleep in Lenses
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Convenience | Risk of infection |
| Ability to see upon waking | Corneal neovascularization |
| No need for glasses at night | Decreased oxygen to the cornea |
So, you messed up. You fell asleep on the couch, or forgot your case, or just plain forgot you had them in. It happens. Don’t panic, but do take some immediate steps.
Don’t Rip Them Out Immediately
Your eyes will likely be very dry and the lenses might be stuck. Trying to yank them out can cause microscopic tears on your cornea or even pull off delicate epithelial cells, increasing your risk of infection.
Re-Lubricate Your Eyes
The best first step is to gently re-lubricate your eyes.
- Saline Solution: Use sterile saline solution (not tap water!) or rewetting drops specifically designed for contact lenses. Blink several times to help the solution get under the lens and loosen it.
- Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops, can also help. Make sure they are safe for use with contact lenses if you still have the lenses in.
- Wait: Give it 10-15 minutes for your eyes to rehydrate and the lenses to loosen up.
Gently Remove the Lenses
Once your eyes feel more lubricated and the lenses feel like they’re moving freely again, gently remove them as you normally would.
Give Your Eyes a Break
Do not put a fresh pair of lenses in immediately. Your eyes need a rest and a fresh supply of oxygen.
- Wear Glasses: Plan to wear your glasses for at least 24 hours, or longer if your eyes feel particularly uncomfortable or irritated.
- Observe: Pay close attention to your eyes for the next day or two. Look for any signs of infection.
When to See an Eye Doctor Immediately
If you experience any of the following symptoms after accidentally sleeping in your contacts, see an eye doctor right away:
- Persistent Redness: Redness that doesn’t go away or gets worse.
- Pain: Even mild pain is a warning sign.
- Light Sensitivity (Photophobia): Your eyes become unusually sensitive to light.
- Blurry Vision or Decreased Vision: Any change in your sight.
- Excessive Tearing or Discharge: Pus-like or watery discharge.
- Foreign Body Sensation: The persistent feeling that something is in your eye, even after the lens is removed.
These are all potential signs of a developing infection, and prompt treatment is essential to prevent serious damage.
Best Practices for Contact Lens Wear
To keep your eyes healthy and your contact lens experience safe and comfortable, stick to these fundamental rules:
Always Remove Lenses Before Sleep
This includes naps! Even a short nap can deprive your eyes of oxygen and allow microbes to multiply. Make it a habit: contacts out before bed, every single time.
Wash Your Hands Thoroughly
Before touching your contact lenses or your eyes, wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them with a lint-free towel. This prevents transferring bacteria from your hands to your eyes.
Use Fresh Solution Every Time
Never “top off” old solution in your lens case. Always discard old solution and use fresh, sterile contact lens solution for cleaning and storage.
Rub and Rinse Your Lenses
Even with “no-rub” solutions, most eye care professionals still recommend a gentle rub-and-rinse step. Place the lens in your palm, add a few drops of solution, and gently rub it with your finger for about 10 seconds on each side. Then rinse thoroughly before placing it in the case. This helps to dislodge protein, lipid, and microbial buildup.
Replace Your Lens Case Regularly
Your contact lens case can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Replace it at least every three months, or sooner if it looks dirty or damaged. Clean your case daily by rinsing it with fresh solution and letting it air dry upside down with the caps off.
Adhere to Wearing Schedules
Whether you wear daily disposables, two-week lenses, or monthly lenses, stick to the prescribed replacement schedule. Don’t try to stretch them out longer to save money; it’s not worth the risk to your eye health.
Never Use Tap Water
Tap water contains microbes (like Acanthamoeba) that are harmless to drink but can cause devastating eye infections if they come into contact with your lenses or eyes. Never rinse your lenses or case with tap water, and avoid showering or swimming with your lenses in.
Regular Eye Exams
See your eye care professional for regular check-ups as recommended, usually once a year. They can monitor your eye health, check your prescription, and ensure your lenses are still a good fit for your eyes.
In summary, while the idea of waking up with perfect vision might be appealing, the consensus from eye care professionals is clear: don’t sleep in your contact lenses unless explicitly instructed by your eye doctor for specific medical reasons, and even then, understand the elevated risks involved. Your eye health is paramount, and a few extra seconds spent removing your lenses each night is a small price to pay for clear, healthy vision for years to come.
FAQs
1. What are the risks of sleeping in contact lenses?
Sleeping in contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections, corneal ulcers, and other serious complications. This is because the lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea, creating an environment where bacteria and other microorganisms can thrive.
2. Can some contact lenses be safely worn while sleeping?
Some extended wear contact lenses are approved for overnight use, but it is important to consult with an eye care professional before doing so. These lenses are designed to allow more oxygen to reach the cornea, reducing the risk of complications.
3. What are the symptoms of complications from sleeping in contact lenses?
Symptoms of complications from sleeping in contact lenses can include redness, pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and excessive tearing. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to remove the lenses and seek medical attention immediately.
4. How can I reduce the risk of complications if I accidentally fall asleep in my contact lenses?
If you accidentally fall asleep in your contact lenses, it is important to remove them as soon as you wake up and give your eyes a break. Use lubricating eye drops to help soothe any discomfort and avoid wearing the lenses for an extended period of time.
5. What are the best practices for wearing contact lenses to reduce the risk of complications?
To reduce the risk of complications, it is important to follow the prescribed wearing schedule for your contact lenses and to properly clean and store them. Avoid wearing lenses for longer than recommended and never wear them while swimming or in a hot tub. Regular eye exams and consultations with an eye care professional are also important for maintaining eye health while wearing contact lenses.
