Sleeping With Contact Lenses: Risks and What to Do
Sleeping with contact lenses may seem harmless, especially when you are tired and only want a short nap. Many contact lens wearers have had this moment: you sit down for a few minutes, close your eyes, and suddenly wake up with your lenses still in.
It happens, and you should not panic. However, sleeping with contact lenses is still risky. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, and when your eyes stay closed for a long time, less oxygen reaches the cornea. This can make your eyes dry, irritated, and more vulnerable to infection.
Even a short nap with contacts can cause discomfort for some people. Overnight sleep carries an even higher risk, especially if your lenses are not approved for extended wear. That is why it is best to remove your contacts before sleeping whenever possible.
Why Sleeping With Contact Lenses Can Be Risky
Your cornea needs oxygen to stay healthy. During the day, blinking helps move tears across the eye surface. These tears help keep the eye moist and support oxygen flow around the contact lens.
When you sleep, you blink less because your eyes are closed. At the same time, a contact lens still covers part of the cornea. As a result, oxygen supply drops, and the eye surface may become more stressed.
This lack of oxygen can lead to dryness, swelling, blurry vision, and irritation. In some cases, it may also increase the risk of eye infection.
For more everyday safety rules, read our guide to contact lens dos and don’ts.
Possible Risks of Sleeping With Contact Lenses
Sleeping with contact lenses can cause more than mild discomfort. Some problems may clear quickly, but others need medical attention.
1. Eye Infections
Eye infections are one of the biggest concerns. When contacts stay on the eyes during sleep, germs may stay trapped between the lens and the cornea. The warm and moist environment can make it easier for bacteria or other microorganisms to grow.
Symptoms may include redness, pain, discharge, light sensitivity, or blurry vision. If these symptoms do not improve after removing your lenses, contact an eye care professional.
2. Pink Eye
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, can make the eyes red, itchy, watery, and irritated. It may happen for different reasons, including infection or irritation.
Sleeping with contact lenses can make the eye surface less comfortable and may increase the chance of irritation. Although pink eye is often less serious than a corneal infection, it can still be uncomfortable and should not be ignored.
3. Microbial Keratitis
Microbial keratitis is a serious infection or inflammation of the cornea. It can be painful and may cause redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and a feeling that something is stuck in the eye.
This condition can become serious if it is not treated quickly. In severe cases, it may lead to scarring or long-term vision problems. If you suspect keratitis, remove your lenses and seek medical help right away.
4. Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. It can develop after an infection or injury to the eye surface.
Corneal ulcers may cause strong pain, redness, tearing, blurry vision, and sometimes a white spot on the cornea. This is not something to treat at home. If you notice these symptoms, contact an eye doctor urgently.
5. Corneal Hypoxia
Corneal hypoxia means the cornea is not getting enough oxygen. Sleeping with contact lenses can increase this problem because the eye is closed and the lens stays on the cornea.
When the cornea lacks oxygen, it may swell and cause blurry vision. Over time, repeated oxygen stress may also affect eye comfort and lens tolerance.
6. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are very common after sleeping with contact lenses. Your eyes may feel gritty, tired, irritated, or sticky when you wake up.
Sometimes the lens may feel like it is stuck to the eye. If that happens, do not pull it out quickly. Use contact-lens-friendly lubricating drops, blink gently, and wait until the lens moves more easily.
For more help with dryness, read our article about dry eye syndrome.
7. Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the eye. This can happen if a dry lens sticks to the cornea and you remove it too quickly.
A scratched cornea can be painful and may cause tearing, redness, light sensitivity, and a gritty feeling. If you think you scratched your eye, stop wearing contact lenses and contact your eye doctor.
Does the Type of Contact Lens Matter?
Yes, the type of lens matters. However, the safest general rule is simple: do not sleep in contact lenses unless your eye care professional specifically says you can.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are made for one day of wear only. You should not sleep or nap in them. After use, throw them away and use a fresh pair next time.
Daily lenses are convenient because they do not need cleaning or storage, but they are not made for overnight wear.
Monthly and Two-Week Contact Lenses
Monthly and two-week lenses should usually be removed before sleeping. These lenses need proper cleaning and storage in fresh contact lens solution after each use.
If you sleep in reusable lenses, you may increase the risk of dryness, deposits, irritation, and infection.
For a simple care routine, see our guide on how to care for contact lenses.
Extended Wear Contact Lenses
Some contact lenses are approved for extended or overnight wear. These lenses use materials that allow more oxygen to reach the eye.
However, approval does not mean they are safe for everyone. Your eye doctor must decide whether extended wear is suitable for your eyes, your tear film, your prescription, and your health history.
Even with extended wear lenses, sleeping in contacts may still carry a higher infection risk than removing them every night.
What to Do If You Accidentally Sleep With Contacts In
Accidentally sleeping with contact lenses can happen, so do not panic. Many people make this mistake at least once.
Start by avoiding quick removal if your eyes feel dry or the lenses seem stuck. Instead, blink gently for a few moments. Contact-lens-friendly lubricating drops can also help your eyes feel more comfortable.
Once the lenses move more easily, wash and dry your hands. Then remove them carefully.
After removal, give your eyes a break. Glasses are the better choice for the rest of the day if your eyes feel tired. Daily lenses should be thrown away, while reusable lenses should be cleaned and disinfected with fresh solution.
If you need help using drops correctly, read our guide on the right way to use eye drops.
When Should You Call an Eye Doctor?
Contact your eye doctor if you notice any of these symptoms after sleeping with contact lenses:
eye pain
strong redness
blurred vision
light sensitivity
swelling
discharge
excessive tearing
a white spot on the cornea
a feeling that something is stuck in your eye
burning that does not improve
Avoid inserting another pair of lenses if your eyes are painful or red. Switch to glasses instead and get professional advice.
Habits That Help You Avoid Sleeping in Contacts
A few small habits can help you avoid sleeping with contact lenses.
Keep your contact lens case and solution near your bed. For sofa naps or travel, place a spare lens case in your bag or near your usual resting place.
Backup glasses are also useful. When your eyes feel tired, dry, or irritated, glasses give them a safe break.
If you use reusable lenses, always clean and store them in fresh solution. Do not reuse old solution, and do not rinse lenses with water. Replace your lens case regularly, ideally every three months.
Before touching your lenses, wash your hands and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel. Clean hands lower the chance of moving germs or residue onto your lenses.
Finally, follow the replacement schedule for your lenses. Do not overwear daily, two-week, or monthly lenses.
Can You Take a Short Nap With Contacts?
It is still better to remove your lenses before any nap. A short nap may feel harmless, but you cannot always control how long you sleep. Ten minutes can easily become one or two hours.
Some people wake up from a short nap with no symptoms. Others wake up with dry, red, or irritated eyes. Because every eye is different, the safest habit is to remove your contacts before you fall asleep.
If you are very tired, take your lenses out first. It takes less than a minute and may save you from discomfort later.
Conclusion
Sleeping with contact lenses may seem like a small mistake, but it can create real risks for your eyes. A short nap can cause dryness and irritation, while overnight wear may increase the chance of infection, corneal ulcers, or other serious problems.
The safest habit is to remove your contacts before sleeping. If you feel tired and think you might nap, take your lenses out first and store reusable lenses in fresh solution. If you wear daily disposable lenses, throw them away before sleeping.
Do not ignore warning signs after sleeping with contacts. Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurry vision, or discharge should be checked quickly.
The goal of contact lens wear is clear and comfortable vision. Good habits help protect that comfort and keep your eyes healthier every day.
Bibliography
Contactlenses.co.uk: Can I Nap With Contact Lenses In?
Cleveland Clinic: Can You Sleep With Contacts In?
Warby Parker: Can You Sleep With Contacts In?
CDC: Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Why You Should Never Sleep in Your Contact Lenses
Frequently asked questions
What should readers keep in mind about Sleeping With Contact Lenses: Risks and What to Do?
The routine depends on the lens type. Daily disposables are replaced after use, while reusable lenses follow the cleaning, disinfection and replacement instructions supplied for that product.
What details are worth checking before making a change?
Pause lens wear when something feels unusual and review the lens, your handling routine and the product instructions. If a problem is unexpected, persistent or worsening, ask a qualified eye-care professional for individual advice.
When is general information not enough?
An article cannot account for every wearer, lens design or eye-care history. When you are unsure about fit, parameters, symptoms or a change in your routine, use advice from a qualified eye-care professional who can assess your individual situation.
