Around one-third of people who wear contacts fall asleep with their lenses on. And, most of them wake up with nothing more than a little bit of dryness which goes away after putting on eye drops.
What’s more, some lenses are approved by the FDA for sleep.
However, according to the CDC, it’s not safe to sleep with the lenses in. This is due to the higher risk (six to eight times more) of getting an eye infection.
Unfortunately, the more severe eye infections can cause corneal damage, surgery, and in some cases even lead to loss of vision. These infections may happen no matter why you’re wearing the lenses (for vision correction or for decorative purposes).
Who Is at a Risk of an Infection Due to Wearing Lenses at Night?
Researchers emphasize that everyone’s at risk.
According to studies, approximately 85 percent of teens who wear contact lenses, 81 percent of young adults who wear contact lenses, and 88 percent of older wearers do at least one thing that increases their risk of an eye infection.
The most common risky behavior of all the groups is sleeping or taking naps with the lenses in.
The corneas come into contact with a variety of bacteria on a daily basis; however, infections don’t happen often. This is due to the fact that when the cornea is healthy, it helps protect the eye from contaminants.
But, to function optimally, it needs oxygen and hydration. When we’re awake, the blinking helps moisturize the eyes and oxygen can flow through the tears the eye produces.
The contacts go over the surface of the eye and thus lower the oxygen and moisture access.
When we sleep, this lowers additionally. Without proper oxygen, the cornea’s cells can’t fight against bacteria adequately.
Top Reasons to Stop Wearing Lenses at Night
- A. keratitis
The amoeba which causes this infection may be present in water sources like hot tubs, tap water, lakes, pools, etc.
According to the American Optometric Association, this infection happens at the same time as a microbial eye infection takes place.
So, if you’re been using tap water to rinse the lenses, if you’re swimming wearing the lenses in pool water, or if you wear them during sleep, you’re at a higher risk of catching it.
The treatment involves medicated eye drop application and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
- B. keratitis
This cornea infection usually happens due to S. aureus or P. aeruginosa, bacteria present in the environment and the human body.
The risk of bacterial keratitis increases if you wear contact lenses extensively; if you have compromised immunity, or if you have undergone eye surgery.
The treatment is usually done with eye drops. If not treated timely, it could scare the cornea permanently.
- Fungal keratitis
According to research, this condition is more frequent in areas with tropical weather and mild temperatures.
When you sleep with contacts in, the risk of this condition increases. It may also happen after an eye trauma with a stick or a branch.
Treating it timely is vital. When left untreated, it may lead to eyesight loss in the infected eye.
In India, this is one of the main reasons for blindness.
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