Are you a contact lens wearer? Do you have a question, "Can you sleep with contacts?" Though it may seem harmless to get a quick nap with the lenses in, doing so continuously can put eye health at risk. Before you sleep with contact lenses in, here's what you need to know. Explore the blog for the risks and safe practices when wearing contact lenses.

Can You Sleep With Contacts in?

Is it safe to sleep with contact lenses in? No, it is generally not recommended to sleep with contact lenses in. Though certain types of contact lenses are designed and approved for overnight wear, sleeping with some contact lenses can cause severe eye problems if used improperly or very often. So, there is a big NO. Give a break to your eyes and let the cornea (the outermost and clear layer of the eye) breathe.

What Happens if You Sleep With Contact Lenses in?

Here are the risks of sleeping with contact lenses:

1. Reduced Oxygen Supply

The cornea needs proper oxygen to stay healthy. While sleeping with contact lenses, the supply of oxygen to the eye is cut off, which leads to damage to corneal cells. This causes several complications, such as:

Corneal swelling
Eye infections
Tissue damage
Vision issues

2. Increased Risk of Infection

Sleeping with contacts can increase the risk of severe eye infections, like

Bacterial keratitis: According to the CDC, sleeping with lenses can lead to bacterial keratitis, which is a sight-threatening infection of the cornea. The symptoms include eye pain and redness, eye discharge, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and excessive eye tearing.
Acanthamoeba keratitis: A serious, but rare, parasitic infection that occurs if you sleep with lenses. It can also occur if you rinse them with tap water or swim in them, as it is caused by amoeba, which lives in pool water, tap water, or hot tubs.
Fungal infections: The blockage of oxygen to the cornea due to the lenses can weaken it and form a breeding ground for the fungi, leading to fungal infection. This can lead to complications, like permanent vision loss, if not treated properly.

3. Increased Chances of Eye Conditions

Corneal Ulcers:

Sleeping with contact lenses can contribute to the formation of open sores on the cornea.
This painful condition can lead to severe vision impairment or permanent vision loss if not treated effectively and quickly.

Dry Eyes:

Wearing contact lenses for a longer period can lead to absorption of moisture in the eyes, which causes and worsens dryness. This happens as eyes produce less tears when sleeping with contacts in, contributing to:

Irritation
Discomfort
Potential damage to the corneal surface

Conjunctivitis (Pink eye):

As sleeping with lenses blocks the oxygen supply to the eye, it creates a warm and moist environment for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can build up on the lens and transfer to the eye, causing conjunctivitis (an infection of the white part of the eye). This leads to

Redness
Discharge
Itching or irritation
Sensitivity to light
Swelling
Blurred vision
Eyelid crusting in the morning

4. Displacement of Lenses

While sleeping, the eyelids move, which puts pressure on the surface of the eyes, causing the contact lenses to shift out of their place. This can also occur when you rub your eyes during sleep. These situations lead to:

Discomfort
Eye injury
Irritation

Can You Take a Nap While Wearing Contact Lenses?

No, you should not take even a nap while wearing any type or brand of contact lenses unless recommended by your doctor. Falling asleep for any amount of time can lead to increased risk of infection, as the lenses can accumulate bacteria, dirt, and pollutants when the eyes are closed. This can contribute to eye problems, such as corneal ulcers, causing chronic damage to the vision if not treated properly and promptly. Sometimes, the lenses can get stuck under the eyelid while napping, which requires professional removal.

What Happens If You Accidentally Sleep in Contacts?

If you fall asleep with your contact lenses accidentally, it's fine, but it can cause temporary irritation or discomfort. So, you need to take some precautions:

Do not remove the contact lenses immediately, because they might be dry and sticky, and cause more discomfort. So, first use lubricating eye drops to rehydrate the eyes or massage the eyes gently to move some moisture.
Try to gently push the lenses out of the eyes. Never pluck them, as this may lead to further irritation.
If it gets difficult to get them out, put a drop of contact solution in the eyes and then blink the eyes a few times.
Now try to remove the lenses again. Do not rub the eyes afterwards.

Do not wear lenses for a whole day. If you face any eye-related issues, consult an eye specialist immediately.

Are There Contacts You Can Sleep In?

Yes, there are contact lenses called "Extended-Wear Lenses" that are designed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prolonged or overnight wear. These are typically made using silicone hydrogel, a kind of material that eases the supply of more oxygen to the eyes. These lenses:

Can be worn continuously for up to 30 days (the duration may vary based on brand and eye health)
Needs a prescription from a certified eye specialist.
Can still carry an infection risk compared to daily-wear contact lenses, so take caution.

The extended wear lenses are appropriate to use if you:

have a demanding job (for instance, healthcare workers or shift workers)
travel too often across countries.
have difficulty handling contact lenses every day.
engage in activities where taking out or changing the lenses is impossible.

Though extended-wear contact lenses are FDA-approved, most eye doctors advise removing them at night whenever possible.

Safe Practices for Using Contact Lenses with Safety

The following are the best practices for contact lens users to protect their eye health:

Always get a prescription from an eye doctor to wear contact lenses.
Remove contact lenses before sleeping
If you are using disposable contact lenses, do not reuse them.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with the help of soap before handling the lenses.
Clean and store the contact lenses properly in a fresh contact lens solution. Do not use tap water or saline solution, as they do not disinfect the lenses.
Refresh the lens solution in the case of contact lenses daily.
Clean the lenses with disinfecting solution before you put them in the storage container.
Do not swim or get a hot bath while wearing the lenses.
Replace the contact lenses and even cases at least every 3 months or as recommended by your doctor. Do not use broken or cracked lens cases.
While traveling, purchase a travel-size contact lens solution. Do not pour the solution into a plastic container, as they might have been exposed to contaminants.
Never share your personal contact lenses with anyone.
Never buy and wear fashion contact lenses.

Even though contact lenses are helpful for better vision, they can cause several eye issues if they are not worn appropriately or properly cared for. Do your best to follow all these guidelines.

When to See an Eye Specialist?

Consult an eye specialist immediately if you experience:

Severe eye pain or discomfort
Extreme redness
Blurred or low vision
Discharge from your eye
Unusual sensitivity to light
A feeling of something being stuck in your eye

These symptoms might indicate a severe infection that can cause damage to your vision if not managed quickly.

Final Thoughts

So, can you sleep with contacts? No, it is not generally recommended to sleep with lenses, as they can lead to infection, eye conditions, or even vision loss. But you can wear specific types, such as "extended-wear lenses" designed for prolonged or overnight use only under an eye doctor’s guidance.

So, to protect your vision and eye health, remove the lenses before sleeping and carefully follow the eye care instructions provided by your doctor.

Can You Sleep With Contacts In? Risks, Safety Tips & What Eye Doctors Recommend