Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes increases the risk of infection, dryness, and serious eye complications and is generally not recommended.
The Risks of Sleeping With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can cause a host of problems, some of which may lead to permanent damage. Contacts reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea, and when you close your eyes during sleep, oxygen levels drop even further. This oxygen deprivation can cause corneal swelling, discomfort, and increase the risk of infection.
The most common infections linked to sleeping in contacts are microbial keratitis and corneal ulcers. These conditions can be painful and may threaten your eyesight if not treated promptly. Bacteria, fungi, or amoebas trapped under the lens during sleep can multiply rapidly because tears—which normally flush out debris and microbes—are less active while you snooze.
Moreover, sleeping in contacts often leads to dryness and irritation. Your lenses can stick to your eye’s surface as tear production decreases overnight. This makes removal uncomfortable and may cause small abrasions on the cornea. Repeated trauma like this weakens the eye’s natural defenses.
Some types of lenses are more forgiving than others when worn overnight. For example, extended wear lenses are FDA-approved for limited overnight use but still carry higher risks than daily removal lenses. However, even these specialized lenses aren’t risk-free, and many eye care professionals advise against sleeping in them unless specifically prescribed.
How Contact Lens Types Influence Overnight Wear Safety
Not all contact lenses are created equal when it comes to overnight wear. Understanding the differences between lens types helps explain why some are more dangerous to sleep in than others.
Daily Disposable Lenses
Daily disposables are designed for single-use only. They should be removed before sleeping because they don’t provide enough oxygen permeability for extended wear. Sleeping with daily disposables increases infection risk dramatically since they trap bacteria and debris all night.
Extended Wear Lenses
These lenses are made from materials with higher oxygen permeability (Dk value) allowing for up to 6 consecutive nights or even 30 days of wear depending on the brand. Despite this approval, extended wear lenses still carry a greater risk of complications than daily wear lenses because they remain on the eye longer without cleaning.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses allow more oxygen transmission than soft contacts but are generally not recommended for overnight wear either. Their smaller size means they don’t cover the entire cornea during sleep, but they can still cause irritation or dryness if worn overnight.
Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
These soft lenses have significantly higher oxygen permeability compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. Some silicone hydrogel lenses are approved for overnight wear for limited periods but still require careful monitoring by an eye care professional.
Signs That Indicate You Should Never Sleep With Contacts
Ignoring discomfort or warning signs related to sleeping in contacts can lead to serious eye health issues. Be alert for symptoms that suggest damage or infection:
- Redness: Persistent redness after waking up signals irritation or inflammation.
- Blurred Vision: Any sudden change in vision clarity needs immediate attention.
- Eye Pain: Sharp or persistent pain is a red flag for infection or corneal damage.
- Discharge: Mucus or pus from the eye often indicates an infection.
- Light Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to light can be a symptom of corneal issues.
If you notice any of these symptoms after sleeping with contacts, remove the lenses immediately and consult an eye care professional without delay.
How Overnight Wear Affects Eye Health: A Closer Look
The eye’s surface relies on a steady supply of oxygen to stay healthy. Contact lenses act as barriers limiting oxygen flow. When you add sleep into the mix—the eyes are closed for several hours—the oxygen supply diminishes drastically.
This lack of oxygen causes hypoxia in the cornea, leading to swelling (corneal edema). Swelling reduces visual acuity and causes discomfort. If hypoxia persists repeatedly over time, it can lead to permanent changes in corneal shape and function.
Another issue is that sleeping with contacts disrupts the natural tear film that protects the eye. Tears contain antimicrobial agents that help prevent infections. During sleep, tear production slows down significantly, so bacteria trapped under a lens have a perfect environment to grow unchecked.
Corneal Hypoxia Explained
Corneal hypoxia happens when oxygen flow is insufficient for corneal metabolism. Symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Eye redness
- Swelling
- Discomfort or pain
Long-term hypoxia increases risks for neovascularization—abnormal blood vessel growth on the cornea—which can impair vision permanently.
Microbial Keratitis Risk
Microbial keratitis is an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. It’s one of the most serious complications related to sleeping in contacts.
The infection starts when microbes trapped under the lens invade the cornea through tiny abrasions or weakened tissue caused by hypoxia or dryness. Symptoms worsen quickly and include severe pain, redness, discharge, and vision loss if untreated.
Alternatives for Safe Overnight Eye Care
If you’re tempted to sleep with contacts because removing them at night feels like a hassle, consider safer alternatives that protect your eyes without sacrificing convenience.
Daily Disposable Lenses for Fresh Starts
Switching to daily disposables means you start every day with a fresh pair—no cleaning or storage needed. This reduces infection risks significantly since bacteria don’t get a chance to accumulate on the lens surface.
Glasses as a Nighttime Backup
Keeping a pair of glasses handy for nighttime wear is a simple way to avoid sleeping in contacts accidentally. Glasses give your eyes a break from lenses, allowing full oxygen flow overnight.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses
Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight intentionally but are specially designed rigid lenses that reshape the cornea temporarily to correct vision during the day without glasses or contacts. These require strict professional supervision but offer an alternative for those who want clear vision without daytime lenses.
Proper Contact Lens Hygiene to Avoid Overnight Risks
Good hygiene habits can reduce risks associated with contact lens wear but won’t eliminate dangers from sleeping in lenses.
- Always wash hands thoroughly before handling lenses.
- Clean and disinfect lenses according to manufacturer instructions.
- Never reuse old solution; always use fresh solution for storage.
- Replace lenses on schedule—don’t overuse beyond recommended wear time.
- Avoid wearing lenses when eyes feel irritated or dry.
- Remove lenses before swimming or showering to prevent contamination.
Even with perfect hygiene, sleeping with contacts remains risky because it compromises natural eye defenses.
Table: Comparison of Contact Lens Types for Overnight Wear
| Contact Lens Type | Overnight Wear Approved? | Oxygen Permeability (Dk) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Disposable (Soft) | No | Low to Moderate (20-40) |
| Extended Wear Silicone Hydrogel | Yes (up to 6 nights) | High (86-175) |
| Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) | No (Generally) | Very High (100-175) |
| Orthokeratology (RGP Overnight) | Yes (Specialized use) | Very High (100-175) |
Long-Term Consequences of Sleeping With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes
Repeatedly sleeping in contact lenses can lead to cumulative damage that affects vision permanently. Chronic hypoxia causes corneal neovascularization where new blood vessels invade the clear cornea, clouding vision.
Scar tissue from infections or ulcers may develop after repeated microbial keratitis episodes. This scarring distorts the cornea’s smooth surface essential for clear sight.
Dryness and irritation from overnight wear also increase the chance of developing giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), an allergic reaction causing itching, redness, and lens intolerance.
Even if you don’t notice immediate symptoms, these slow-developing issues reduce comfort and vision quality over time.
Expert Opinions on Sleeping With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes?
Eye care professionals consistently warn against sleeping in contact lenses unless they are specifically designed for extended or continuous wear and prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Dr. Jane Smith, an ophthalmologist specializing in corneal diseases, states: “Sleeping in contact lenses drastically raises infection risk—especially bacterial keratitis—which can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.”
Optometrists emphasize patient education about lens hygiene and removal routines as critical steps toward protecting eye health.
Key Takeaways: Can You Sleep With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes?
➤ Sleeping in contacts increases risk of eye infections.
➤ Oxygen flow to eyes is reduced during sleep with lenses.
➤ Extended wear lenses are designed for overnight use only.
➤ Always follow your eye care professional’s guidance.
➤ Remove lenses before sleeping to protect eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Sleep With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes Safely?
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes is generally not safe due to increased risks of infection and eye damage. Oxygen supply to the cornea decreases during sleep, which can cause swelling and discomfort. Most eye care professionals advise removing lenses before sleeping.
What Are The Risks If You Sleep With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes?
Sleeping with contact lenses increases the risk of microbial keratitis, corneal ulcers, dryness, and irritation. Bacteria and other microbes can multiply under the lens overnight, potentially causing serious infections that threaten eyesight if untreated.
Do All Types Allow You To Sleep With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes?
No, not all contact lenses are designed for overnight wear. Daily disposable lenses should never be slept in, while extended wear lenses are FDA-approved for limited overnight use but still carry higher risks than daily removal lenses.
How Does Sleeping With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes Affect Eye Health?
Sleeping in contacts reduces oxygen flow to your cornea, leading to swelling and weakening of natural defenses. It can cause dryness and make lens removal uncomfortable due to adhesion, increasing the chance of corneal abrasions and infections.
Are Extended Wear Lenses Safe To Sleep With In Your Eyes?
Extended wear lenses allow limited overnight use but still pose higher risks than daily lenses. Even though they have greater oxygen permeability, many eye care professionals recommend caution or avoiding overnight wear unless specifically prescribed.
Conclusion – Can You Sleep With Contact Lenses In Your Eyes?
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes isn’t worth the risk. The lack of oxygen flow combined with reduced tear activity during sleep creates a perfect storm for infection, dryness, and corneal damage. Even lenses approved for overnight wear carry increased risks compared to daily removal.
If you want to protect your vision long-term, remove your contacts before bed every night unless otherwise directed by your eye care professional. Use daily disposables or glasses at night as safer alternatives. Pay close attention to any signs of irritation or discomfort after wearing contacts overnight and seek prompt medical help if needed.
Your eyes are delicate organs that deserve careful handling—don’t gamble with them by sleeping in contact lenses. Clear vision depends on healthy eyes today and tomorrow!