Many people in the UK have accidentally fallen asleep with contact lenses in, whether during a short nap or overnight. While it may seem harmless, sleeping in contact lenses can significantly increase the risk of eye irritation, infection, and long-term damage. Understanding what happens when you sleep with contacts in and what to do if it happens, is essential for protecting your eye health. This guide explains the risks, why eye care professionals advise against it, and when sleeping in lenses may be medically approved.
Can You Sleep With Contacts In?
In most cases, no, you should not sleep with contact lenses in unless they are specifically prescribed for overnight or extended wear. Standard daily or monthly contact lenses are designed to be removed before sleep because they restrict oxygen flow to the cornea.
When your eyes are closed, oxygen levels naturally drop. Wearing contact lenses during sleep further reduces oxygen supply, which can compromise the cornea’s ability to stay healthy and fight infection. UK optometrists and eye care professionals strongly advise removing lenses before sleeping, even for short naps.
What Happens If You Sleep With Contacts In?
Sleeping in contact lenses can trigger a range of problems, some mild and others potentially serious.
In the short term, you may wake up with dry, gritty, or irritated eyes. Vision may feel blurry, and lenses can become difficult to remove due to dryness. In more serious cases, sleeping in contacts increases the risk of corneal hypoxia, where the eye does not receive enough oxygen, leading to redness, swelling, and discomfort.
More concerning is the increased risk of eye infections, including microbial keratitis, a painful condition that can cause permanent vision damage if not treated promptly. This risk is significantly higher in people who regularly sleep with contact lenses.
Why Can’t You Sleep With Contact Lenses?
The primary reason you cannot safely sleep with most contact lenses is oxygen deprivation. The cornea has no blood vessels and relies entirely on oxygen from the air. Contact lenses act as a barrier, and when combined with closed eyelids, oxygen levels drop dramatically.
Additionally, sleeping reduces tear circulation, which normally helps wash away bacteria and debris. Contact lenses can trap bacteria against the surface of the eye, creating an ideal environment for infection. Over time, repeated overnight wear can weaken the cornea and make future infections more likely.
Fell Asleep With Contacts In - What Should You Do?
Accidentally falling asleep with contact lenses in is common and usually not an emergency, but how you respond matters.
When you wake up, do not immediately try to remove the lenses if your eyes feel dry or uncomfortable. Blink several times and apply sterile contact lens rewetting drops or preservative-free artificial tears. Once the lenses feel mobile again, remove them gently.
After removal, give your eyes a break by wearing glasses for the rest of the day. If you experience persistent redness, pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision, you should contact an optometrist or GP promptly.
Sleeping With a Contact Stuck in Your Eye
If a contact lens feels stuck after sleeping, it is usually due to dryness rather than the lens being lost behind the eye (which is anatomically impossible).
Apply lubricating eye drops and wait several minutes before attempting removal. Gently massage the eyelid to help rehydrate and reposition the lens. Never force a dry lens out, as this can scratch the cornea.
If you cannot remove the lens or experience pain, seek professional help from an optician, NHS eye service, or A&E if symptoms are severe.
Are There Any Contact Lenses You Can Sleep In?
Some lenses are approved for overnight or extended wear, but these must be specifically prescribed by an eye care professional. These lenses are made from highly oxygen-permeable materials and are not suitable for everyone.
Even with approved overnight lenses, sleeping in contacts still carries a higher risk of infection compared to removing them nightly. UK optometrists often recommend limiting overnight wear unless there is a clear medical or lifestyle reason.
How to Reduce Eye Damage After Sleeping in Contacts
If sleeping in contacts happens occasionally, you can reduce risks by following good lens hygiene. Always clean and disinfect reusable lenses properly, replace lens cases regularly, and never stretch recommended wear times.
If you find yourself frequently falling asleep in lenses, consider switching to daily disposables or discussing alternative options with your optometrist. Persistent overnight wear without approval is a strong indicator that your current lens routine may not be suitable.
