Have you ever crashed on the couch or your bed, completely exhausted, and realized the next morning you forgot to take out your contact lenses? It’s something many people do, but it’s far from harmless. Falling asleep in contact lenses can cause immediate discomfort, long-term damage, and even permanent vision problems if it becomes a habit. This guide will walk you through exactly what happens when you doze off with lenses in, what the risks are, and how to avoid or manage the damage. Let’s take a close-up look—pun intended!
Introduction to Contact Lens Use
Why People Wear Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a modern miracle for millions around the world. Whether for fashion, convenience, or improved peripheral vision, they offer a lot that glasses can’t. Contacts provide a sense of freedom for athletes, professionals, or anyone who finds glasses inconvenient. They’re light, invisible, and often more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, with advancements in lens materials, today’s contacts can correct a variety of vision problems—myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and even presbyopia.
But convenience can sometimes lead to neglect. People tend to forget that contact lenses are foreign objects sitting directly on the eye. Unlike eyeglasses, contacts require meticulous hygiene and usage practices. Improper handling, including sleeping in them, can quickly turn a convenient solution into a serious eye health risk.
The Importance of Proper Lens Care
You wouldn’t sleep with your shoes on, right? The same logic applies to your eyes. Your corneas—the clear, dome-shaped surfaces that cover your eyes—need oxygen to stay healthy. During the day, this oxygen comes from the air, but contact lenses can already reduce this supply slightly. Sleeping in lenses drastically limits this oxygen flow. Pair that with bacteria that naturally live on your eyes, and you’ve got a perfect storm for infection and discomfort.
Proper lens care means more than just cleaning your lenses. It involves washing your hands before touching them, storing them in fresh solution daily, replacing your lens case regularly, and most importantly, removing them before you hit the hay. Your eyes will thank you.
What Happens to Your Eyes When You Sleep in Contacts?
Reduced Oxygen Supply
Here’s what most people don’t realize: your corneas get oxygen directly from the air. Unlike other parts of the body that receive oxygen through blood vessels, your corneas rely on direct air exposure to stay healthy. When you wear contacts, especially ones not designed for overnight use, you’re putting a barrier between your eye and the air. Now, imagine closing your eyes for 6 to 8 hours with that barrier still in place. Oxygen deprivation begins.
This condition is called “corneal hypoxia.” It’s not something you’ll feel immediately, but over time, your cornea becomes more vulnerable. Reduced oxygen means your eyes can’t repair themselves properly while you sleep. That makes them more susceptible to scratches, infections, and even long-term scarring.
Disrupted Tear Film and Dryness
Your eyes also rely on a healthy tear film to stay lubricated, clean, and comfortable. Contact lenses interfere with this natural balance by absorbing some of the moisture your eyes produce. When you sleep in your lenses, your eyes don’t blink to refresh and redistribute tears, which leads to serious dryness by morning.
Waking up with your contacts stuck to your eyes is not just annoying—it’s a sign that your tear film has been severely compromised. If you’ve ever had to pry your lenses out or felt like your eyes were sandpapered, that’s why.
Immediate Effects of Sleeping in Contact Lenses
Redness and Irritation
The first thing you’ll probably notice when you wake up is bloodshot eyes. This is your eyes’ way of signaling distress. Lack of oxygen causes blood vessels to expand in an attempt to deliver more oxygen to the cornea. The result? Red, irritated, and angry-looking eyes.
This irritation is not just a cosmetic issue—it’s a warning sign. Your eyes are inflamed and potentially vulnerable to microscopic tears or infections. Even a few hours of sleep with lenses in can cause your eyes to react this way.
Dry Eyes and Discomfort
Nothing says “bad morning” like waking up to dry, itchy eyes. Contact lenses already reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture your eyes get. When you sleep in them, this effect is amplified. Your eyes become parched, and you might feel a gritty or burning sensation. It’s not just discomfort—it’s your eye crying out for help.
Long-term exposure to this kind of dryness can lead to more serious conditions like chronic dry eye syndrome. If you’re waking up with dryness regularly, it’s a red flag.
Blurred Vision Upon Waking
Blurred vision isn’t always due to sleepiness or needing a cup of coffee. If you’ve slept with your contacts in, you may notice your vision is blurry or hazy upon waking. This happens because your lenses may become displaced or dried out, disrupting the way they sit on your cornea.
Sometimes, blurred vision is also an early sign of an infection brewing beneath the surface. If your vision doesn’t clear up after removing the lenses and applying eye drops, it’s time to see a doctor.
Long-Term Risks of Sleeping in Contacts
Corneal Hypoxia
Corneal hypoxia occurs when your eyes are starved of oxygen for an extended period—something that sleeping in contact lenses directly causes. Think of your cornea like a sponge that needs a constant flow of fresh air to stay healthy. Without enough oxygen, your cornea begins to swell and may start forming abnormal blood vessels in an attempt to bring in more oxygen. This is known as neovascularization.
The danger with this condition is that it’s often silent in the beginning. You might not notice any discomfort or changes in vision until the damage is already done. Once those abnormal vessels grow into the cornea, they can affect your vision permanently. Some people even develop scarring or corneal thinning, which may require a transplant in extreme cases. It’s a slow-burning consequence that builds up the more often you sleep in your lenses.
Risk of Eye Infections (Keratitis)
One of the most alarming risks of sleeping in contact lenses is developing keratitis—a severe infection of the cornea. When your eyes are dry, oxygen-deprived, and covered by a plastic lens, they become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Keratitis is not just uncomfortable—it’s painful, can be difficult to treat, and may lead to permanent vision loss.
Sleeping in lenses increases your chances of infection by up to 6–8 times compared to those who take their contacts out before bed. The risk doesn’t just come from the lenses themselves but from the reduced natural defense mechanisms of your eye while you sleep.
Ulcers and Permanent Vision Damage
If you ignore the signs of infection or damage, the situation can escalate to corneal ulcers—open sores on the surface of your eye. These ulcers can cause intense pain, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and even blindness if left untreated. Once the cornea is scarred, your vision might never return to normal, even with glasses or contacts.
Some ulcers require aggressive treatment with antibiotic or antifungal eye drops. In severe cases, surgery or a corneal transplant becomes necessary. That’s a heavy price to pay for something as preventable as removing your lenses before sleep.
Types of Infections Caused by Sleeping in Contacts
Bacterial Infections
Among all the possible infections, bacterial keratitis is the most common and potentially the most dangerous. Bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa can rapidly invade the cornea and cause irreversible damage within just 24–48 hours. This is why eye doctors treat suspected bacterial keratitis as an emergency.
Symptoms can include severe pain, redness, pus or discharge, and impaired vision. Without immediate treatment, the infection can lead to blindness. Sleeping in lenses, especially ones that aren’t cleaned properly, gives these bacteria a head start they should never have.
Fungal Infections
Less common but no less serious are fungal infections like Fusarium keratitis. These infections typically occur in warm, humid environments but can also develop from contaminated lens solution or poor hygiene. Fungal keratitis can be more difficult to diagnose and treat compared to bacterial types, often requiring long-term antifungal treatment.
Symptoms may include persistent eye pain, blurry vision, increased light sensitivity, and excessive tearing. These infections can linger for weeks or months and, in some cases, permanently affect your sight. Fungal spores love dark, moist environments—like the space between your eye and a dirty, overnight-worn lens.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
This one is rare but truly terrifying. Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism found in water, soil, and even tap water. It can cause a particularly stubborn and painful infection that resists most treatments. What makes it worse? Sleeping in your contact lenses increases your exposure risk dramatically, especially if you’ve rinsed them or your case with tap water.
People with Acanthamoeba keratitis often experience extreme pain, redness, and a feeling that something is stuck in their eye. Treatment can take months and often involves a combination of medications. In advanced cases, vision loss and corneal transplant may be the only options.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Complications?
People with Sensitive Eyes or Pre-existing Conditions
Not everyone’s eyes are built the same. People with naturally dry or sensitive eyes are more susceptible to complications from overnight contact lens wear. If you already suffer from conditions like dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, or allergies, your eyes are already on high alert. Adding oxygen deprivation and trapped bacteria only increases the chances of infection and irritation.
Additionally, those with corneal scars, previous eye surgeries, or a history of eye infections should be especially cautious. The risks are amplified for you, and even a single night of poor contact lens hygiene could result in serious damage.
Smokers and Diabetics
You might not expect lifestyle and systemic health to play a role here, but they absolutely do. Smokers are at a higher risk of eye infections due to reduced immune function and poorer wound healing. Tobacco compounds can also irritate the eyes, making infections more likely.
Diabetics, on the other hand, have a harder time fighting off infections and healing tissue damage. Elevated blood sugar levels can impair immune responses and lead to chronic eye problems. If you’re diabetic, sleeping in contact lenses is even more dangerous, increasing the odds of complications like infections and ulcers.
Signs You’ve Damaged Your Eyes by Sleeping in Lenses
Persistent Redness and Pain
Everyone gets red eyes occasionally, but if your eyes are consistently bloodshot and painful, it’s a sign something’s wrong. After sleeping in your lenses, your eyes might look irritated for a while—but if the redness lingers past a few hours or comes with discomfort, it could be a warning of deeper problems like corneal inflammation or infection.
Don’t dismiss it. Persistent redness should always be investigated by an eye professional, especially if it’s paired with light sensitivity or blurred vision. You’re better off safe than sorry.
Sensitivity to Light
Light sensitivity—also known as photophobia—can be extremely uncomfortable. If you find yourself squinting or shielding your eyes from normal indoor light after sleeping in contacts, it’s not a good sign. This sensitivity usually means your cornea is inflamed, and inflammation can be the beginning of infection or ulceration.
Wearing sunglasses indoors or needing to dim the lights? It’s time to take your eye health seriously and seek medical attention.
Vision Changes and Excessive Tearing
Blurred vision that doesn’t go away after you remove your lenses is a major red flag. It could mean that your cornea has been scratched, infected, or is developing an ulcer. Alongside blurred vision, excessive tearing or discharge can also be a symptom of trouble.
If your vision feels foggy, hazy, or different in any way after sleeping in your lenses, don’t try to tough it out. The longer you wait, the worse the damage can become.
How to Treat the Effects of Sleeping in Contacts
Remove Lenses Immediately
The first and most crucial step if you’ve accidentally slept in your contacts is to take them out as soon as you realize it. Do not force them out if they feel stuck. Add sterile saline solution or rewetting drops to help loosen them up. Forcing a dry lens off your eye can cause microscopic abrasions on your cornea, which opens the door to infections.
Once removed, give your eyes a break. Avoid putting lenses back in for at least 24 hours—or longer if you’re experiencing symptoms like redness or pain. Your corneas need time to rehydrate and recover their oxygen supply.
Use Lubricating Eye Drops
After lens removal, your eyes might feel dry, irritated, or even scratchy. Over-the-counter lubricating drops (preferably preservative-free) can help soothe them and restore moisture. Avoid using redness-reducing drops, as they often mask the problem rather than fix it.
You can apply artificial tears throughout the day to support your eyes in healing. Cold compresses may also relieve irritation or mild inflammation. Just make sure everything you’re using is clean and sterile to avoid introducing new bacteria.
When to Seek Medical Help
If discomfort continues for more than a day, or if you experience symptoms like blurry vision, discharge, intense pain, or light sensitivity, it’s time to see an eye doctor—urgently. These could be signs of corneal ulcers or infections that need prescription-strength antibiotic or antifungal eye drops.
Waiting too long can lead to irreversible damage. Remember, your eyes don’t have nerves inside the cornea to scream at you when something’s going wrong—it often escalates quietly. Any changes in vision, intense redness, or pain should be treated as emergencies.
Preventive Tips to Avoid Sleeping in Lenses
Setting Reminders for Lens Removal
Life gets busy. Between long work hours, social events, and just plain exhaustion, forgetting to remove your contacts happens. But making it a habit to set an alarm or a phone reminder before bed can make a huge difference. You could also leave a sticky note on your nightstand or bathroom mirror as a visual cue.
Develop a pre-bedtime routine that includes removing your lenses, brushing your teeth, and washing your face. Once it’s part of your daily rhythm, it becomes second nature.
Using Extended-Wear or Overnight Contacts Safely
Some contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear, usually made of silicone hydrogel, which allows more oxygen to pass through. However, even these should be used with caution and under the guidance of your eye doctor.
Just because a lens is marketed for 24-hour use doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Regular eye exams and honest conversations with your optometrist are essential to determine whether you’re a good candidate for extended-wear contacts. If you experience dryness, irritation, or any discomfort, it’s best to limit wear time and prioritize safety.
Maintaining a Good Lens Hygiene Routine
Proper lens hygiene is non-negotiable. Here’s a quick refresher on best practices:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses.
- Use only fresh contact lens solution—never water or saliva.
- Rub and rinse your lenses even if the solution says “no rub.”
- Replace your contact case every 1–3 months.
- Follow your lens replacement schedule strictly.
Never top off old solution or reuse dirty lenses. Your eyes are too valuable to cut corners with.
Alternatives to Regular Contact Lenses
Daily Disposable Lenses
If you’re someone who often forgets to take out your lenses or doesn’t like the cleaning routine, daily disposable contacts may be a safer choice. These are designed for one-time use—pop them in during the day and toss them out at night. No cleaning, no storing, and significantly lower infection risk.
Daily disposables also tend to be thinner and more breathable, reducing the risk of dryness and discomfort. While they may be a bit more expensive, they offer peace of mind and are ideal for people with busy lifestyles or travel-heavy schedules.
LASIK and Other Vision Correction Options
Tired of contacts altogether? You might consider a more permanent solution like LASIK. This laser-based procedure reshapes your cornea to correct vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It’s fast, generally safe, and offers freedom from glasses or contacts for many years.
Other options include PRK, SMILE, and implantable contact lenses (ICLs). Each comes with its own risks and benefits, so it’s important to consult with a qualified ophthalmologist to see what fits your eyes and lifestyle best.
If surgery isn’t your thing, high-quality prescription glasses can also be a stylish and comfortable alternative.
What Eye Doctors Recommend
Regular Eye Checkups
Even if your vision seems fine, routine eye exams are a must—especially if you’re a contact lens user. Eye doctors can detect early signs of corneal damage, dryness, or infection before they escalate. They’ll also ensure your lenses fit properly and that your prescription is up-to-date.
Make it a goal to visit your eye doctor at least once a year. If you have risk factors like diabetes or a history of eye infections, more frequent visits may be necessary.
Personalized Lens Recommendations
Your eyes are unique, and not all lenses are suitable for everyone. Eye doctors can help tailor a contact lens routine that fits your lifestyle, vision needs, and risk profile. Whether it’s switching to dailies, prescribing lenses for astigmatism, or recommending eye drops to combat dryness, the right advice can make all the difference.
Never switch brands or lens types without consulting your optometrist first. Even small changes can have big consequences when it comes to your eye health.
Myths and Misconceptions About Sleeping in Contacts
“It’s Okay Just for One Night”
This is probably the most dangerous myth out there. People often assume that falling asleep in contacts just once or twice won’t cause any harm. The truth? Even one night can trigger irritation, dryness, or worse—an infection. While not everyone will experience immediate damage, the risk is real, and repeated offenses stack the odds against your eyes.
You may get away with it once or twice, but over time, this habit will catch up to you. Just like smoking “only on weekends” can still damage your lungs, sleeping in your lenses “only sometimes” can damage your corneas.
“My Contacts Are Breathable, So It’s Safe”
Some lenses are marketed as “breathable” or “high-oxygen,” and while these are better than older materials, they are not invincible. Breathable doesn’t mean immune to problems. Even with silicone hydrogel lenses, your eyes still get less oxygen during sleep, which increases the risk of complications.
No contact lens is as effective as your natural eye when it comes to staying clean, hydrated, and oxygenated. Even the most advanced lenses come with strict usage guidelines. If you’re tempted to sleep in your lenses because they’re labeled breathable, think again—and talk to your eye doctor first.
Conclusion
Sleeping in your contact lenses might feel harmless in the moment, especially after a long, tiring day—but the potential risks are simply not worth it. From minor discomfort to irreversible vision loss, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Your eyes need time to breathe, hydrate, and repair themselves, especially overnight. By taking just a minute or two to remove your lenses before bed, you can avoid a world of trouble.
Remember, good vision is a privilege, not a guarantee. Treat your eyes with the care they deserve. Whether that means switching to daily disposables, exploring LASIK, or just setting a nightly reminder to take your lenses out, small changes can protect your long-term eye health. Don’t wait for a scary wake-up call—make proper contact lens hygiene a daily habit today.
FAQs
Can you go blind from sleeping in contacts?
Yes, in extreme cases. Sleeping in lenses increases the risk of corneal ulcers and infections like bacterial or Acanthamoeba keratitis, which can lead to scarring and permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
How many hours is it safe to wear contact lenses?
Most lenses are safe to wear for 8–12 hours a day. However, this varies based on the type of lens and your eye health. Always follow the instructions given by your eye care provider or the manufacturer.
What should I do if I accidentally slept with my contacts in?
Remove the lenses as soon as possible, lubricate your eyes with artificial tears, and avoid wearing contacts for at least 24 hours. If you notice any pain, redness, or blurred vision, see your eye doctor immediately.
Are daily disposables safer if I forget to take them out?
Daily disposables reduce the risk of infection overall, but they are not designed for overnight use. Sleeping in them still increases the risk of eye problems, although they may be slightly less harmful than reusable lenses in the same situation.
Can I wear contacts the next day after sleeping in them?
It depends on how your eyes feel. If you have any redness, dryness, or irritation, give your eyes a break and avoid wearing lenses the next day. If symptoms persist, consult an eye care professional before using contacts again.