Last Updated on December 20, 2024 by Aaron Barriga
A majority of people who wear contact lenses are guilty of sleeping with contact lenses at some point or other in their lives. So what happens if you sleep in contact?
Sleeping with contact lenses on can lead to severe eye infections, corneal ulcers, and other eye health problems which may result in permanent vision loss. An example of how your eyes become prone to infections if you sleep with your contacts on is this. Throughout the day, pollutants present in the air get into your eyes and some of these may work their way under the contact lenses.
If you sleep with your contacts on, the combination of closed eyelids, reduced eye movement and low oxygen levels help the infection causing bacteria and viruses to thrive. This gives way to severe eye infections.
Red and irritated eyes, pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, and ulcers in the eye are some of the common symptoms of sleeping with your contacts on. Listed below are some of the serious risks associated with frequently sleeping while wearing your contact lenses. Take a look:
Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis
One of the most prevalent side effects of sleeping while wearing contact lenses is conjunctivitis. Commonly referred to as pink eye, this viral infection is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. It covers the white portion of the eye and lines the inner sides of the eyelid. Itching and discomfort are experienced in this condition.
A special form of this viral disease known as Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) is also commonly seen in people frequently sleeping with their contact lenses on. In this condition, bumps develop on the inner surface of the eyelid causing pain and sensitivity to light.
Keratitis
This condition is similar to conjunctivitis to an extent. The inflammation caused by this condition affects the cornea, the clear part in the front of your eyes through which you see. Apart from all the symptoms of conjunctivitis, there is a risk of your vision being damaged due to keratitis.
It can be caused due to bacteria, fungi, and amoebae. Of all these three, amoebic keratitis is the most serious form and may result in loss of vision. Another form known as Contact Lens Acute Red Eye or CLARE often comes on suddenly during sleep and can cause severe pain and light sensitivity. Corneal ulcers caused due to keratitis may lead to permanent blindness if not treated properly.
Corneal Neovascularization
Apart from infection, those who sleep while wearing contact lenses are also at risk of oxygen deprivation in the eye. This causes the eye to grow more blood vessels to increase the supply of blood to the cornea. The increase in blood vessels hinders the light from traveling through the cornea normally, thus impairing vision. This is known as corneal neovascularization.
Blindness
If keratitis is left untreated, it can lead to minor vision loss the need for a cornea transplant, or even blindness in some cases. Those who wear contact lenses can reduce the risk of infection by strictly following all the precautions related to cleaning, handling,g and storage of the contact lenses. Purchasing disposable soft contact lenses is also a good option for those who find the maintenance of contacts tedious.
Sleeping with contact lenses on is never a good idea. To learn more about how to use and care for your contact lenses so that you can enjoy perfect vision without any associated risks, get in touch with us.
Our team of eye experts at Insight Vision Center is dedicated to helping you restore perfect vision without any hassles.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
