FAQ

Sleeping with Contact Lenses

Can I sleep with my contact lenses in?

No, it is not recommended to sleep with contact lenses. Studies show that sleeping with contacts in makes you 20 more times likely to develop eye infections which can lead to corneal scarring or loss of vision. Risk of getting an infection increases the longer contacts are slept in.

The cornea lacks blood vessels so it must get oxygen from the outside environment. Contact lenses inhibit the passing of oxygen and wearing them for extended periods of time doesn't allow your cornea to "breathe." Inflammation, irritation, redness and discomfort are effects of a lack of oxygen to the cornea.  New blood vessels (neovascularization) can grow into the cornea if the lack of oxygen to the cornea persists.

Nighttime lens removal and cleaning also allows for the removal of deposits and neutralization of bacteria and viruses that may build up on the lens. Without this cleaning process, the daily bacteria buildup is often trapped in the eyes overnight. This can lead to a corneal ulcer, which can be a potentially serious disorder.

Some lenses are approved for "extended wear" which can include overnight wear. We recommend only using these if approved and/or advised by Dr. Dold. If, for any reason you happen to sleep with your contact lenses in, remove them the next morning and allow them to soak in cleaning solution. Additionally we recommend wearing your glasses the following day.

If, after wearing contacts overnight, you experience any redness, discharge, pain, light sensitivity or reduced vision you should contact Dr. Dold as soon as possible.