Can you sleep with contact lenses in?
Contact lenses are an incredibly popular form of vision correction, worn by millions of people around the world every day. They offer a level of convenience that goes beyond glasses, but there are also some important considerations to bear in mind when wearing them.
One of those considerations is sleep. Almost everyone takes their glasses off before bed, but when it comes to contact lenses, removing them can feel like an inconvenience — especially if it’s just a quick nap. However, sleeping in contact lenses can have negative consequences for your eye health, so it’s vital to understand whether you can wear your lenses while you sleep and what effects this might have.
Roshni Patel BSc (Hons) MCOptom explains the effects of sleeping in contact lenses and how you can protect your vision.
Can you nap with contact lenses in?
You should only nap with contact lenses in if you wear extended wear (also known as continuous wear) lenses. Made from a material that has been tested and approved for use during sleep, this type of lens should not present any problems when worn overnight.
Sleeping in lenses that are not designed for this purpose can reduce the amount of oxygen your cornea (the front surface of your eye) needs to stay healthy. This puts you at greater risk of infections and corneal ulcers.
This applies whether you’re taking a quick nap or sleeping for a longer period.
Sleeping in contact lenses
If you’d like to wear contact lenses that are suitable for sleeping in — whether overnight or just for a few hours — it’s worth booking an appointment with your optician. They will be able to assess whether you’re a suitable candidate for extended wear lenses and offer you a trial period.
Accidentally falling asleep with contact lenses in
While you should always avoid sleeping in lenses not designed for it, occasionally it can happen without you realising.
If this occurs, you need to be very careful when removing them. It’s likely that while you were asleep your lenses dried out and adhered more closely to the eye, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of corneal damage when you take them out.
Start by using rewetting drops to rehydrate the lens. This will reduce any discomfort and make the lens easier to remove.
Once the lens is hydrated, continue to take great care when removing it. Once out, you may need to use more eye drops to reduce dryness.
You should give your eyes a rest from lenses for at least a few hours. If you continue to experience significant discomfort, or notice any visual disturbances, contact your optician as soon as possible to make sure there’s no underlying problem.
Long-term effects of sleeping in contact lenses
Extended wear lenses shouldn’t cause any problems if you sleep in them (provided you’ve been assessed as a suitable wearer), but it’s always better not to wear any lens while sleeping — or at least to go a few nights without doing so, to give your eyes a break.
That said, any obstruction in your eye reduces the oxygen reaching it, and even lenses designed for extended wear could cause issues after a prolonged period of use, as well as discomfort, dryness and an increased risk of infection.
Protecting your vision
There are several ways you can protect your vision and ensure you get a good night’s rest:
- Remove your contact lenses before going to bed. This will allow your eyes to rehydrate properly as you blink a few times before closing them for sleep
- Maintain a varied diet rich in vitamins A, C and E and antioxidants. A healthy diet will support a good sleep routine, while vitamins and antioxidants will help maintain good eye health. To make sure you’re getting all the vitamins you need, take a look at our range of eye vitamins
- Avoid prolonged screen time and take regular breaks. Excessive exposure to screen light can make it harder to fall asleep, and heavy screen use can also reduce your blink rate, which can lead to dry eyes — particularly if you wear contact lenses
- Exercise regularly. Even a gentle walk can help. Stretching your muscles, especially after a day sitting at a desk, can help you sleep better — while also giving you an opportunity to breathe fresh air and look at objects at a distance, both of which benefit your vision
- Have regular eye examinations. If your prescription changes over time, wearing the wrong prescription in your lenses or glasses can cause headaches and make it harder to fall asleep. Regular check-ups ensure you’re always wearing the right prescription to correct your vision, and that any potential eye problems are detected as early as possible
- Reduce your caffeine, alcohol and nicotine intake. Regular use of these substances can affect both your sleep and your general health. While the occasional controlled amount may not have a major impact, consuming too much or too regularly can lead to disrupted sleep cycles and eye strain
By following these tips and being careful with your contact lenses, you can protect your eye health for many years to come.