Sleeping in Contacts: Should You Do It?

So you accidentally slept with your contact lenses in and your eyes feel irritated, red, dry and maybe painful.

You may be thinking, was it okay to sleep in my lenses? Did I ruin my eyes? You may be panicking.

Let’s find out and see.

Should You Sleep With Contacts Overnight?

It is not recommended to sleep with your contacts. Sleeping with contacts for one night can be detrimental. Sleeping in contacts can be dangerous.

A few contact lenses have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to sleep in however, most optometrists still recommend contacts be removed before going to bed.

Should You Nap With Contact Lenses?

It is not recommended to take naps while wearing contacts. Generally risks for developing infections, ulcers, and corneal swelling increase with the amount of time you nap in your contact lenses.

What should I Do If I Slept in My Lenses?

If you sleep in your lenses it is best to remove them when you get up.

• Before removing your contacts, put an eye drop in your eyes. Make sure the drop is approved to be used while wearing your contacts.
• Wash your hands
• Remove each contact lens
• If using a monthly or 2-week lens place the lens in their contact lens case with fresh contact lens solution. Don’t forget to rub your lenses if using a multipurpose solution! If using a daily disposable contact lens, throw lenses away.
• Wear your glasses for 24 hours
• Pay attention to your eyes. If your eyes become irritated or become painful call your eye doctor immediately.

4 Reasons Why Sleeping in Your Contact Lenses is Not Recommended

1. The risk of Eye Infections Increases

Eye infection increases when you sleep with your contacts. Extended wear and daily wear lenses both have an increased risk for eye infections if slept in. There are three main types of eye infections: bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, and acanthamoeba keratitis. All three infections if left untreated can cause permanent vision loss.

2. Cornea Becomes Hypoxic

Contacts are made of a thin plastic. When you place this plastic on your eyes, it reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. While you sleep your oxygen levels reduce because your eyelid covers your eye. When you sleep with your contacts it makes reduces the oxygen levels further making the cornea hypoxic.

When our cornea does not get the proper nutrients, protection from the tear film, and oxygen it needs to function normally, it creates an environment that is unable to fight against bacteria.

3. The Risk for Corneal Ulcers Increases

Because your cornea is starved for oxygen and the tear film isn’t replenishing the eye while it is asleep, sleeping in contacts creates an environment that is unable to fight against bacteria. When the top layer of your cornea becomes weak it is easy for bacteria to penetrate it and cause an ulcer or an open wound on the front of the eye.

4. Eye Inflammation Increases

When you sleep with your contacts you are more likely to have irritated and inflamed eyes. Inflammation can be in the form of giant papillary conjunctivitis which is the inflammation of the inside of the upper eyelids. This can cause intolerance of contact lens wear, blurry vision, discharge from the eye, and excessive movement of the lenses.

What Are Contact Lenses?

There are two main categories of contacts: hard and soft

Soft Contacts:

Soft contact lenses are a thin pliable plastic placed directly on the eye. There are different types of soft contacts: monthly, 2-week, and daily. Each type of contact is made out of different materials and designs.

Rigid Gas Permeable Contacts (RGPs):

RGPs are hard, inflexible plastic that is placed directly on the eye. If taken care of properly may last a year or longer. Typically RGP lenses are less likely to be involved in an eye infection when compared to soft contacts.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology is like an RGP in that it is made up of a hard, inflexible plastic that is placed directly on the eye. The difference lies in the design and function of the lenses. These lenses are to be used while sleeping in children who are nearsighted. They gently reshape the cornea while you sleep and removed in the morning. It is one of the most common forms of myopia control, or the treatment for nearsightedness.

What Lenses are FDA Approved For Extended Wear?

There are a few contact lenses that are approved for extended or continuous wear. Most optometrists and ophthalmologists do not recommend sleeping in extended-wear contact lenses and continuous-wear contact lenses. This is because your risk of infection, ulcers, and irritation increases when you fall asleep in your lenses. The results can be painful and in extreme cases cause permanent vision loss.

Each person has a tolerance for sleeping in contact lenses that are approved for overnight wear. Many contact lens wearers who accidentally fall asleep or intentionally sleep in their extended-wear lenses may have detrimental effects and negatively affect their eye health while others may not.

Your eye doctor will be able to tell you if your eyes can tolerate extended wear. It is always best to follow your eye doctor’s directions and recommendations on proper lens wear and hygiene.

Contact Lenses Approved for Extended Wear:

Typically, a contact lens that can be used for extended wear means you can wear the lens for 6 nights and 7 days without removing the lenses. On night 7 the lenses should be removed for at least 24 hours.

Contacts that are Approved for Extended Wear:

• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Multifocals
• Air Optix Night and Day Aqua
• Pure Vision
• Ultra
• Ultra for Astigmatism
• Ultra for Presbyopia
• Biofinity
• Biofinity XR
• Biofinity Energys
• Biofinity Multifocal
• Biofinity Toric
• Biofinity Toric XR
• Biofinity Toric Multifocal

Remember just because contacts are approved to be worn while you sleep, does not mean it is a good idea. Sleeping in contacts is RISKY.

Always discuss your contact lens concerns and questions with your optometrist. They will be able to recommended lenses that will work best for you and your lifestyle.

What is Good Contact Lens Hygiene?

You must take care of your contact lenses. This includes knowing how to properly care for and handle your lenses as well as knowing when it is time to throw it away and get a new one.

Best Tips for Good Contact Lens Hygiene and Wear

• Always wash your hands before touching removing or inserting your contacts
• Use fresh multipurpose solutions every time you put your contacts in your case. Never reuse your solution!
• If using a multipurpose contact lens solution, rub your contacts with the solution before putting them into your contact lens case.
• Never use tap water or sterile water to rinse or store your contact lenses or contact lens cases.
• Clean your contact lens case every morning with your multipurpose contact lens solution.
• Never use saliva to rewet or clean your lens with
• Get a new contact lens case every 1-3 months
• Never use expired multipurpose contact lens solutions or hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions.
• Use waterproof mascara and practice good makeup hygiene
• Never sleep or nap with your contacts in your eyes
• Replace your contacts at the appropriate interval (i.e. throw away your daily lenses every night and get a new monthly lens every 30 days)
• When wearing contacts, only use eye drops that are approved for contact lens wear
• Don’t skip your yearly eye exams, even if you don’t have any problems or concerns.
• Don’t order contacts with expired contact lens prescriptions
• Always have a backup pair of glasses available in case you can’t wear your contacts due to infections, injuries, or contact lens intolerances.

What are The Symptoms of Eye Infections?

Getting an eye infection is not fun. Poor contact lens hygiene, sleeping in your lenses, or wearing them longer than recommended increases your risk of getting an eye infection. Some common symptoms of keratitis and conjunctivitis are:

• Pain
• Blurred vision
• Redness
• Tearing
• Mucous discharge
• Light sensitivity
• Burning

When Should You See Your Optometrist if You Wear Contacts?

If you are wearing contacts you should have your eyes checked every year. Even if your contact lens prescription is valid for 2 years, you should still visit your eye doctor annually.

When Should YOu see Your Optometrist if You Suspect an Infection?

If you have symptoms of an infection or have any concerns about your eyes or eye health schedule a visit to see your eye doctor immediately.

If you have an eye concern it is best to see your local eye care provider.

Sleeping In Contacts Wrap-up

Wearing contact lenses come with great responsibility. Contacts are medical devices that appear to be harmless. However, when handled and worn inappropriately, can be detrimental to not only your vision but the overall quality of life. Sleeping in contacts is risky.

Generally, it is not recommended to nap or sleep in your contacts. If you accidentally fall asleep with your lenses or intentionally sleep with contacts know that your risk of getting an eye infection, corneal swelling, or ulcer increases about 8 times according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Ultimately, contact lenses are an amazing medical device, and if used correctly many vision conditions and infections can be avoided.

You only get two eyes, so it is important to take excellent care of them.