Can You Sleep with Contacts In?

Key Takeaways

Before diving into the details, here's what you need to know about sleeping with contact lenses:

• Not Recommended: Eye care professionals strongly advise against sleeping with regular contact lenses

• Health Risks: Sleeping with contacts can increase your risk of eye infections, corneal damage, and vision problems

• Emergency Tips: If you accidentally fall asleep with contacts, follow proper removal procedures

Falling asleep with your contact lenses still in might seem harmless after a long day, but eye care professionals strongly advise against this practice. Here's what you need to know about sleeping with contacts and why it could put your eye health at risk.

This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about sleeping with contact lenses, the potential risks involved, and what to do if you accidentally doze off with your lenses still in. Whether you're a long-time contact lens wearer or just starting out with Bella Lense's colored contacts, this information is essential for maintaining your eye health.

The Short Answer: Not Recommended

Sleeping with regular contact lenses is not recommended by eye care professionals. Even lenses marketed as "extended wear" should be used with caution for overnight use.

Can You Take a Nap in Contact Lenses?

Taking a nap while wearing contact lenses is not recommended by eye care professionals. Even short naps can present similar risks to overnight sleeping with contacts in.

Why Sleeping with Contacts Is Risky

When you sleep with contacts in, you're creating an environment where:

• Your corneas receive less oxygen, as most contacts restrict oxygen flow to some degree

• Bacteria and debris can become trapped between the lens and your eye

• Your eyes can't naturally cleanse themselves through blinking and tear production

What Happens to Your Eyes When You Sleep with Contacts

Let's explore the timeline of what happens when you fall asleep wearing contact lenses:

Immediate Effects (1-2 Hours)

When you first fall asleep with contacts in, your eyes begin to experience reduced oxygen levels. Your eyelids create a sealed environment that:

• Reduces tear exchange

• Traps debris between your lens and cornea

• Begins to create a potentially favorable environment for microbial growth

During this time, you might not experience any symptoms, which is why many people think occasional overnight wear is harmless.

Middle of the Night (3-5 Hours)

As sleep continues:

• Corneal swelling progresses

• Contact lenses may begin to adhere to your corneal surface

• Tear film quality deteriorates

• Any microorganisms present have more time to multiply

Morning After (6-8 Hours)

Upon waking after a full night of sleep with contacts:

• Your contacts may feel "stuck" to your eyes

• Eyes typically feel dry and irritated

• Vision may be temporarily blurry

• Redness and discomfort are common

• Cornea may show signs of stress visible to an eye doctor

While these effects might resolve once you remove the lenses, repeated exposure to this stress can lead to chronic issues.

Potential Complications

Regularly sleeping in contacts that aren't designed for overnight wear can lead to several complications:

• Corneal hypoxia (oxygen deprivation to the cornea)

• Eye infections, including serious ones like microbial keratitis

• Corneal ulcers that can lead to permanent vision damage

• Red Eye Syndrome (conjunctivitis)

• Increased risk of blood vessel growth into the cornea

What If You Accidentally Fall Asleep with Contacts?

If you wake up realizing you've slept with your contacts in:

1. Don't immediately remove them if they feel stuck

2. Apply lubricating eye drops and wait a few minutes

3. Gently remove the lenses once they've rehydrated

4. Give your eyes a break from contacts for at least a day

5. Watch for symptoms like redness, pain, or sensitivity to light

Extended Wear Options

Some contacts are FDA-approved for extended wear, including overnight use:

• Extended wear soft lenses (approved for up to 7 days continuous wear)

• Certain silicone hydrogel lenses (allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea)

However, even with these options, eye doctors often recommend removing contacts nightly to reduce complication risks.

Best Practices for Contact Lens Wearers

To maintain healthy eyes while wearing contacts:

• Remove contacts before sleeping, even for short naps

• Follow your eye doctor's recommended wearing schedule

• Clean and store lenses properly with fresh solution

• Replace your contacts as scheduled

• Have regular eye exams to monitor corneal health

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate eye care if you experience:

• Eye pain or discomfort that doesn't improve after removing lenses

• Redness that doesn't subside

• Decreased vision

• Unusual sensitivity to light

• Persistent feeling that something is in your eye

Remember that while contacts are a convenient vision correction option, proper care is essential for maintaining long-term eye health. Your eye doctor can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific eye conditions and contact lens type.

Conclusion: Prioritize Your Eye Health

Your eyes are irreplaceable, and vision problems can impact every aspect of your life. While sleeping with contacts might seem convenient in the moment, the potential consequences simply aren't worth the risk.

For safe, comfortable daily wear, Bella Lense offers a variety of colored contact lenses designed with your eye health in mind. Remember to always remove your contacts before sleeping, maintain proper hygiene, and follow your eye care professional's recommendations.

If you've been regularly sleeping with your contacts in, it's not too late to change this habit. Your eyes will thank you with years of clearer, more comfortable vision and reduced risk of complications.

Ready to try comfortable, beautiful contacts designed for healthy daily wear? Explore Bella Lense's collection today and experience the difference quality lenses can make!