Why You Shouldn’t Sleep in Your Contacts (and What to Do If You Do)

Contact lenses are a convenient way to see clearly without glasses, but they also require proper care. One of the most common - and risky - mistakes people make is sleeping in their contact lenses. Whether it happens accidentally or becomes a habit, sleeping in contacts can significantly increase your risk of eye irritation, infection, and long-term damage.

Why Sleeping in Contacts Is Risky

Your eyes need oxygen to stay healthy. When you’re awake, oxygen reaches the eye directly from the air. When you sleep, oxygen supply is already reduced because your eyelids are closed. Adding contact lenses into the mix further limits oxygen flow to the cornea. This lack of oxygen can cause stress to the eye and make it more vulnerable to complications, especially if sleeping in contacts becomes routine.

Potential Problems from Sleeping in Contacts

•           Eye Infections: Sleeping in contacts greatly increases the risk of bacterial infections, including serious conditions like microbial keratitis. These infections can cause pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, and in severe cases, permanent vision loss.

•           Corneal Inflammation: Reduced oxygen can lead to corneal inflammation, resulting in redness, discomfort, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.

•           Dry, Irritated Eyes: Contacts worn overnight can absorb moisture from the eye, leaving your eyes dry, scratchy, and irritated the next day.

•           Corneal Scratches: Sleeping in contacts can make lenses shift or stick to the eye, increasing the risk of corneal abrasions when you try to remove them.

•           Reduced Lens Comfort: Over time, sleeping in contacts can make lenses feel less comfortable overall and shorten their usable lifespan.

What to Do If You Accidentally Sleep in Your Contacts

If you wake up with your contacts still in, don’t panic - but don’t ignore it either.

Follow these steps:

•           Do not remove them immediately if your eyes feel dry. Apply lubricating eye drops and wait a few minutes.

•           Wash your hands thoroughly before removing your contacts.

•           Remove the lenses carefully.

•           Give your eyes a break by wearing glasses for the rest of the day if possible.

If you experience redness, pain, blurry vision, light sensitivity, or discharge after sleeping in your contacts, schedule an eye exam right away.

How to Protect Your Eyes Going Forward

•           Remove your contacts before sleeping, even for short naps

•           Follow your prescribed wearing schedule

•           Replace lenses as directed

•           Clean and store lenses properly

•           Never stretch the recommended replacement timeline

•           Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your lenses still fit properly

Find Contact Lenses That Fit Your Lifestyle

Sleeping in your contact lenses may seem harmless, but it can lead to serious eye health issues over time. Making a habit of removing your contacts before bed is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your vision.

If you have questions about contact lens safety, or are experiencing irritation from sleeping in your contacts, the team at Winchester Optical is here to help. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes stay healthy, comfortable, and seeing clearly.  Visit our office in Winchester, Massachusetts, or call (781) 214-3990 today.