If there’s one thing many of us look forward to after a long and chaotic day, it’s crashing into our beds and dozing off. When fatigue hits, it’s normal to cut certain rituals from our nightly routines. Even if you skip changing into your pajamas or doing your 12-step skincare routine, you should never sleep in your contacts.
It might seem harmless, but sleeping in your contact lenses—even for a quick nap—can pose serious risks to your vision and eye health.
Keep your eyes comfortable, happy, and healthy by following proper contact lens handling.
The Risks of Sleeping in Your Contacts
Just because you technically can sleep in your contact lenses doesn’t mean you should. Sleeping in your lenses, even just for a quick power nap, significantly increases your risk of developing serious eye problems.
Reduced Oxygen Flow to Your Eyes
The clear front surface of your eye (the cornea, which contact lenses rest over) needs oxygen to stay healthy. However, unlike other parts of your body, the cornea doesn’t have blood vessels to deliver oxygen. Instead, it gets oxygen directly from the air and from your tears.
Although modern soft contact lenses are breathable, they still limit the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea. When you close your eyes during sleep, oxygen levels drop even further. This combination creates a perfect storm for corneal problems, including swelling, irritation, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Increased Risk of Eye Infections
The moist, warm environment between your closed eyelid and your lens is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. This dramatically increases your risk of developing serious eye infections.
One of the most serious infections associated with overnight lens wear is microbial keratitis—a corneal infection that can lead to scarring, vision loss, and (in severe cases) the need for corneal transplantation. Studies show that people who sleep in their contact lenses are up to eight times more likely to develop this type of infection.
Corneal Ulcers & Abrasions
Extended contact lens wear can lead to corneal ulcers—open sores on the cornea that are extremely painful and potentially vision-threatening. These develop when the cornea becomes damaged from a lack of oxygen or when bacteria penetrate the corneal surface.
Further, sleeping in contacts can cause corneal abrasions—scratches on the cornea’s surface. Not only are these painful, but they create entry points for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.
Dry Eyes & Discomfort
Contact lenses can reduce tear production and increase tear evaporation. When you sleep in your lenses or wear them longer than recommended (16+ hours), these effects are amplified, often leading to severe dry eyes when you wake up.
This dryness can cause significant discomfort, blurry vision, and a gritty feeling in your eyes, making mornings especially uncomfortable.
Slept in Your Contacts? What to Do Next
Accidents happen. You might fall asleep and wake up to realize your vision feels off and your eyes feel dry because you slept in your contact lenses. Don’t panic; here’s what to do next:
- Don’t Remove Your Contact Lenses Immediately: Your instincts might tell you to remove them right away, but this can cause more harm. Sleeping in lenses dries out your eyes, causing your contacts to stick to your cornea. Forcefully removing them can lead to corneal abrasions.
- Use Artificial Tears: Apply preservative-free artificial tears that are contact lens compatible (so the drops can penetrate the lens) to hydrate your eyes and your contacts. This makes removal safer and more comfortable.
- Wait & Blink: Give the drops a few minutes to work. Blink gently several times to help distribute the moisture and encourage your lenses to move naturally on your eye.
- Remove Contacts Gently: Once your eyes feel more comfortable and your contacts are moving freely, carefully remove them using your normal technique. If they still feel stuck, add more drops and wait longer.
- Give Your Eyes a Break: Wear your glasses for the rest of the day to give your eyes a chance to relax and recover. This allows your corneas to get the oxygen they need and also reduces further irritation.
- Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for signs of complications such as persistent redness, pain, discharge, light sensitivity, or blurred vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your eye care professional immediately.
If you’re having trouble with removal, visit your optometrist. They have the skills and tools to help remove stubborn contact lenses.
The Exception to the Rule
The general rule is to never sleep in contact lenses, but there are exceptions. Some contacts are designed specially for overnight wear, as prescribed by your optometrist.
Orthokeratology Lenses
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, lenses are rigid gas-permeable contacts that you wear only while sleeping. These lenses gently reshape your cornea overnight to temporarily correct refractive errors.
When you remove the lenses in the morning, you can see clearly throughout the day without needing glasses or regular contact lenses.
Extended Wear Contact Lenses
Extended wear contact lenses can typically be worn for up to seven days and six nights or up to 30 days and 29 nights, depending on the specific lens type. These lenses are made from silicone hydrogel materials that allow significantly more oxygen to pass through to the cornea. That said, sleeping in contacts still carries greater risks than daily wear and removal.
It’s important to understand that these lenses require more frequent monitoring and are not suitable for everyone.
Keep Your Eyes Comfortable & Healthy
The bottom line is simple: unless you’re wearing specialty lenses for overnight wear, always remove your contact lenses before you sleep. The risk of sleeping in regular contacts far outweighs any convenience, and the potential consequences can be serious and long-lasting.
The secret to comfortable contact lens wear is proper handling. From cleaning and storage to annual exams, every step matters. Ready for clearer, more comfortable vision?
Book a contact lens exam and fitting with Willoughby Doctors of Optometry in Langley today.
