It’s easy to forget and fall asleep while wearing contact lenses.
Falling asleep with contact lenses might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can seriously jeopardize your eye health and even lead to vision loss.
Dr. Allison Babiuch from the Cleveland Clinic advises, “Although sleeping in contact lenses might not seem like a major concern, the long-term health of your eyes must remove them before bed.”
Here’s why you should never sleep with your contact lenses on:
Oxygen supply blockage
When you sleep with your contact lenses in, you block the oxygen supply to your eyes. The cornea relies on oxygen from the tear film, but lenses interfere with this process. Closed eyelids during sleep further restrict oxygen flow, potentially damaging corneal cells. Symptoms of oxygen deprivation include redness, blurred vision, and discomfort.
Risk of bacterial infection
Your eyes are vulnerable to bacteria, and wearing contact lenses overnight can trap these microorganisms, raising the risk of infections. This can lead to keratitis, corneal ulcers, and corneal hypoxia. Keratitis, a severe infection, can significantly impair vision and is often caused by bacteria, fungi, or amoebas. Corneal ulcers are open sores on the cornea that can cause vision impairment or even permanent vision loss if untreated.
Lens displacement
Even if you insert your contact lenses correctly, your eyelids can shift them during sleep. This displacement puts pressure on the eye’s surface, leading to irritation and potential injury. Misaligned lenses can also cause blurred vision and discomfort.
Dry eyes
Contact lenses absorb moisture from your eyes, leading to dryness. Since tear production drops during sleep, wearing lenses can exacerbate this dryness, resulting in additional problems like corneal damage. Common symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Increased risk of specific eye diseases
Consistently sleeping with contact lenses increases the risk of eye diseases such as keratitis, corneal ulcers, and corneal hypoxia. If not treated promptly, these conditions can cause significant vision loss.
What should you do if you accidentally fall asleep with your contact lenses on?
If you accidentally fall asleep with your lenses on, don’t rush to remove them immediately. Your eyes might feel dry and sticky, so start by gently massaging them to help rehydrate. Then, carefully try to remove the lenses. Avoid forcing them out, as this can irritate your eyes.
If you struggle to remove the lenses, apply a few drops of contact lens solution and blink to help ease them out. Once removed, avoid wearing them for the rest of the day. Look for signs of infection, such as redness, excessive tearing, or discharge. If you notice anything unusual, contact an eye doctor immediately.
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