Sleeping in contact lenses can significantly impact your eye health. Our dedicated eye doctors, including Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones, are here to guide you through the risks, symptoms, and complications, ensuring your eyes remain safe and healthy.
Sleeping in contact lenses can pose serious risks to your eye health. Even if you haven’t experienced noticeable issues after one night, the dangers of reduced oxygen supply and bacterial buildup remain significant. Our eye doctors are dedicated to helping you understand why giving your eyes a break is so important for long-term vision care.
It’s essential to know when your symptoms require immediate attention. If you wake up with increased redness, pain, blurred vision, or any unusual discomfort, consider these signs as urgent prompts to contact our eye doctors. The onset of visual symptoms—particularly if they develop quickly after sleeping in contact lenses—can signal that your eyes are under stress from oxygen deprivation or an infection may be developing.
Even minor symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they persist or worsen over a short period. The sooner complications are addressed, the better the outcome for preventing long-term damage. Our office is here to provide personalized guidance, and we encourage you to call for a consultation if you’re concerned about any adverse symptoms following overnight lens wear.
Your eyes need a constant flow of oxygen for healthy functioning. When you wear contact lenses overnight, the natural oxygen supply to your cornea is drastically reduced. Here’s the thing: closed eyelids already reduce oxygen exposure by limiting airflow, and contact lenses only add another barrier. As a result, your cornea may swell up, sometimes by as much as 4% even during regular sleep without lenses. When you combine that with the added barrier of a contact lens, the decrease in oxygen can be even more pronounced, setting the stage for a host of complications.
The lack of oxygen, or hypoxia, can kick off several undesirable conditions. Foremost among these is the increased risk of eye infections. Studies have found that the odds of developing an infectious keratitis or corneal infection can be four to five times higher for someone who sleeps in their lenses compared to those who wear them only during the day. What does that mean for you? It signifies that even if you feel no immediate discomfort, your eyes are at risk for serious infections that can lead to long-term complications if not addressed promptly.
Our eye doctors emphasize prevention and care, urging patients to avoid the habit of sleeping in contact lenses unless specifically prescribed under special circumstances. The environment created under a closed lid and a lens is particularly favorable for bacterial growth, with types like Pseudomonas capable of causing aggressive infections that damage the cornea rapidly. Reducing the time your eyes are deprived of oxygen is essential for preventing these outcomes.
It can be challenging to differentiate between temporary discomfort and a sign that your eyes are suffering damage. Recognizing the early warning signs can help prevent more severe complications. Here’s a closer look at potential symptoms and complications that might develop if you sleep in contact lenses without medical oversight:
A persistent burning sensation or feeling of grittiness may indicate that your cornea is under stress.
While slight redness is common with dry eyes, consistent and pronounced redness may signal the onset of an infection.
Changes in vision clarity are a red flag—often, they arise due to corneal swelling or early signs of an infection.
Increased sensitivity can develop as your eyes strain to compensate for decreased oxygen and inflammation.
Any significant pain in the eye, especially if it builds or intensifies, should be treated seriously by contacting our eye doctors immediately.
Imagine your cornea as a window that requires clean, fresh air to remain clear and free from fog. With contact lenses on overnight, this constant air supply is blocked, leading to a reduction in oxygen transmission. This reduction is more than just a discomfort—it can lead to conditions like keratitis, which is inflammation of the cornea often resulting in blurred vision and significant irritation.
In severe cases, a swollen and inflamed cornea can pave the way for a corneal ulcer, a painful open sore that develops on the cornea’s surface. These ulcers can quickly become dangerous, requiring immediate attention from our eye doctors. Infections like those caused by Pseudomonas are particularly aggressive, sometimes eroding the cornea in a matter of hours. The risk of such complications only increases the longer you sleep in your contacts without proper oversight.
When your eye’s environment is compromised, the cornea struggles to maintain its clarity and functionality. This stress can further contribute to long-term vision problems if not managed appropriately. It underscores the importance of strict adherence to eye care recommendations and wearing contact lenses only as advised.
There are a few fundamental reasons why sleeping in contact lenses poses such a threat to your eyes. The most critical factor is oxygen deprivation. Under normal circumstances, even without lenses, your cornea receives less oxygen during sleep than when you’re awake, as your eyes are closed. Adding contact lenses into the mix compounds this issue. The lenses act as an extra mask, further limiting the availability of oxygen essential for corneal health.
In addition to oxygen deprivation, the warm, moist conditions created under your closed eyelids when you sleep are ideal for bacterial growth. The contact lens traps heat and moisture, giving bacteria a strong foothold. This environment is especially risky if the lenses are not cleaned or replaced according to recommended schedules. The combination of hypoxia and bacterial breeding can lead to inflammatory responses, swelling (edema) of the cornea, and even the rapid development of infections like keratitis.
Contact Dr. Smith at Eye Health Associates for personalized advice on maintaining optimal eye health. Our team is ready to help you navigate the risks associated with contact lens wear, ensuring your eyes stay healthy and vibrant. Don't wait, reach out today!
Another contributing factor is the physical pressure of wearing lenses while your eyes are at rest. While your eyes naturally relax during sleep, the contact lenses remain in place, which can create constant, low-grade friction against the corneal surface. This friction can aggravate the cornea, causing microscopic abrasions that serve as entry points for bacteria.
Even if your contact lenses are designed for extended wear, our eye doctors urge caution. The general recommendation is to remove contact lenses before sleeping, allowing your eyes time to breathe and recover from the day. Over time, even on FDA-approved extended wear lenses, continuous overnight use can lead to complications if not meticulously managed.
Specifically, eye doctors recommend against the habit of regular sleeping in contact lenses because of:
Your eyes are too precious to risk these complications by developing careless habits. If you are considering extended wear cases, it should always be under rigorous guidance from our eye doctors who fully understand your eye health history and current condition.
Some contact lenses are specifically designed for extended wear, including overnight use, provided they are used under strict guidelines. These lenses are constructed from materials that allow more oxygen to permeate through to the cornea, reducing—but not eliminating—the risks of hypoxia and its subsequent effects.
For patients who require extended wear lenses due to therapeutic circumstances or after certain eye surgeries, our eye doctors may suggest lenses that are FDA-approved for overnight use. Examples include:
If you’re someone who sometimes finds it tempting to keep your contact lenses in overnight, consider these guidelines to safeguard your eye health:
Always wear your contact lenses as directed. If extended wear lenses are recommended, make sure to use them strictly per the advised schedule.
Clean and disinfect your lenses regularly. Replace them as recommended, and never rinse them with water.
Be alert to any discomfort, dryness, redness, or blurred vision. Early detection of symptoms can prevent more serious complications.
Even if you use extended wear lenses, try to remove them periodically to allow your corneas to recover and receive oxygen naturally.
Whenever in doubt, it’s always best to get professional advice rather than risking your vision. Regular eye exams are key to maintaining optimal eye health.
Contact Dr. Smith at Eye Health Associates for personalized advice on maintaining optimal eye health. Our team is ready to help you navigate the risks associated with contact lens wear, ensuring your eyes stay healthy and vibrant. Don't wait, reach out today!
Sleeping in contact lenses poses serious risks, including infections and reduced oxygen supply. Understand the symptoms and seek help.
