Waking up still wearing your lenses can be a little uncomfortable. Your eyes may feel dry and your lenses may have shifted, making it hard to see clearly. But discomfort aside, there are health-related reasons why ophthalmologists don’t recommend sleeping in your lenses. Keep reading to find out why and to see other common mistakes contact wears often make.
There are different types of contact lenses, including soft contact lenses (which allow oxygen to pass through the cornea), rigid gas permeable lenses (which are more durable and resistant to buildup) and extended wear contact lenses (marketed as being okay to wear overnight for up to about a week). Dr. Wuqaas M. Munir, MD, an ophthalmologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, doesn’t recommend wearing any type of contact lenses while sleeping, even extended-wear lenses.
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Both doctors emphasize that when the eyes don’t get enough oxygen, serious eye problems can occur. Dr. Munir says that in addition to eyes becoming dry, sleeping in contacts irritates the eyes, causing small scratches to the surface of the cornea during sleep. “Together, these factors greatly increase the risk of infection to the cornea, called keratitis or corneal ulcer," he warned. "The eyes can also get dry causing redness, blurry vision, irritation and watering.”
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Other Common Mistakes People Who Wear Contacts Make
Dr. Brissette also issued a strong warning against storing lenses in regular H20. “Water contains microorganisms, including harmful bacteria and parasites, which can adhere to the lenses and cause severe eye infections," she said. "One of the most dangerous infections associated with water exposure is Acanthamoeba keratitis, caused by the Acanthamoeba parasite. This microorganism is commonly found in water, soil and even air, and when it comes into contact with the cornea, especially through contaminated lenses, it can cause a painful, potentially sight-threatening infection.” Yikes!
If you have daily lenses (meant to be worn during the day and then thrown away before bed), you may wonder if you can stretch their use, taking them out at night but wearing them again the next day. Both doctors warn against this cost-saving tactic. Dr. Brissette explains that the thin material that daily lenses are made of isn’t designed to withstand the buildup of multiple uses.
When you’re super tired, it may be tempting to sleep in your lenses instead of taking the time to take them out, but it’s a bad habit to get into and can seriously damage your eyes. Take your lenses out and you’ll rest easier knowing your vision is protected.
Related: 5 Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy Every Day
Sources
Dr. Wuqaas M. Munir, MD, ophthalmologist at the University of Maryland Medical CenterDr. Ashley Brissette, MD, ophthalmologist and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology Read More Details
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