Can You Sleep with Contact Lenses?

Ever fallen asleep with your contact lenses in? You’re not alone. Many contact lens wearers have dozed off without removing their lenses, often waking up to dry, irritated eyes. But is it really that bad?

The short answer: Yes, sleeping with contact lenses is risky and can lead to serious eye problems. Contacts reduce oxygen flow to your cornea, increasing the chances of infections, dryness, and even long-term vision damage.

Understanding these risks and following best practices for contact lens care can help keep your eyes healthy. In this guide, we’ll explore why sleeping with contacts is unsafe, what happens if you do, and the best ways to protect your vision.

Is it Fine to Sleep with Contact Lenses?

No, it’s not recommended to sleep with contact lenses. Here’s why:

• Contact lenses create a barrier over your cornea, limiting oxygen supply. Your cornea relies on oxygen to stay healthy, and depriving it can lead to complications.
• Sleeping with contacts increases the risk of eye infections, irritation, and corneal damage.
• Some extended-wear contact lenses are approved for overnight use, but even these come with risks. Optometrists generally advise against wearing any contacts while sleeping.

If you frequently fall asleep with contacts, consider switching to daily disposable lenses to reduce infection risk.

What Happens If You Sleep with Contact Lenses?

Sleeping with your contact lenses—even for a short nap—can have serious consequences. Here’s what could happen:

1. Increased Risk of Eye Infections

Wearing contacts overnight creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria thrive. This significantly increases the chances of developing bacterial or fungal infections, which can lead to redness, discharge, and severe discomfort.

Fact: According to the CDC, people who sleep in their contact lenses are six to eight times more likely to develop an eye infection.

2. Corneal Hypoxia (Oxygen Deprivation)

Your cornea needs oxygen to stay clear and healthy. Contacts reduce oxygen flow, and when worn overnight, they can cause corneal hypoxia, leading to swelling, blurred vision, and discomfort.

3. Dry & Irritated Eyes

Sleeping with contacts prevents natural tear production and lubrication. This can make your eyes feel extremely dry and gritty when you wake up.

4. Higher Risk of Corneal Ulcers

Corneal ulcers are open sores on the cornea, often caused by bacterial infections from improper lens use. They can be painful and, if left untreated, may lead to permanent vision loss.

Even if you’ve slept with contacts before without issues, the risks build up over time. Don’t make it a habit.

What to Do If You Accidentally Sleep with Your Contacts

If you wake up and realize you slept in your contacts, follow these steps:

1. Remove your contacts as soon as possible, but do it gently to avoid damaging your cornea.
2. Use lubricating eye drops to hydrate your eyes before removing the lenses.
3. Give your eyes a break. Avoid wearing contacts for the next 24 hours to let your corneas recover.
4. Monitor for symptoms. If you experience redness, pain, excessive tearing, or blurry vision, see an eye doctor immediately.

If your lenses feel stuck, apply eye drops and blink a few times before attempting removal. Never force them out.

Best Practices for Safe Contact Lens Wear

To maintain healthy eyes and avoid complications, follow these expert-approved tips:

• Always remove contacts before sleeping, even for naps.
• Follow the recommended replacement schedule (daily, bi-weekly, or monthly).
• Clean your lenses properly—never use tap water or saliva. Always store them in fresh contact lens solution.
• Consider switching to daily disposables to eliminate the risk of contamination.
• Schedule regular eye check-ups to ensure your lenses fit well and your eyes remain healthy.

Daily disposable lenses are the safest option since they reduce bacterial buildup and require no cleaning.

Learn More with Your Optometry Experts

Sleeping with contact lenses is never a good idea—even if it seems harmless. The risks of infections, dryness, and long-term vision problems outweigh the convenience.

By practicing proper contact lens hygiene and removing your lenses before bed, you can keep your eyes healthy and avoid preventable complications.

Need expert advice? Book an eye exam with our optometrists today to ensure your contact lenses are the best fit for your eye health.