HOW TO TREAT EYES AFTER SLEEPING WITH CONTACTS

Introduction

Sleeping in contact lenses is a surprisingly common mishap. It can happen to anyone, after a late-night work session, a stressful evening, or simply forgetting to remove your lenses during a cozy Netflix binge. While it may seem minor, leaving lenses in overnight can significantly affect eye health. Contacts reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea, can cause dryness, and create a warm environment where bacteria thrive. This combination raises the risk of irritation, infection, and in severe cases, vision-threatening complications.

In this post, we’ll walk you through:

• Why accidental overnight lens wear happens

• The potential risks

• How to safely remove and care for your lenses and eyes

• Preventive strategies to avoid future mishaps

Why Sleeping with Contacts Happens

Even the most diligent lens wearers can accidentally sleep with their contacts. Common contributing factors include:

• Busy or irregular schedules: Late shifts, studying, or travel can disrupt nightly routines.

• Fatigue and stress: Exhaustion makes it easy to forget lens removal.

• Underestimating the risk: Some assume a short night of lens wear is harmless.

• Habitual napping: Unplanned naps with lenses still in eyes can go unnoticed.

Understanding these triggers helps you identify personal risk patterns and build preventive habits.

Potential Risks and Complications

Sleeping in contacts is not just uncomfortable—it carries real medical risks:

1. Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation):

   • Soft lenses partially block oxygen flow to the cornea. Overnight wear intensifies this, leading to redness, swelling, and even temporary vision blur.

2. Dryness and discomfort:

   • Lenses can adhere to the eye surface, making removal painful. Lack of tear exchange overnight worsens dryness.

3. Increased infection risk:

   • The warm, moist environment under the lens encourages bacterial growth. This can lead to keratitis (corneal infection), which is potentially serious.

4. Corneal abrasions or ulcers:

   • Rubbing or forcibly removing stuck lenses can scratch the cornea. In some cases, untreated abrasions may develop into ulcers, risking long-term vision damage.

Recognizing these risks underscores the importance of careful management.

Recognizing Warning Signs

After waking, check your eyes for symptoms. Seek professional attention if you notice:

• Intense redness or persistent pain

• Excessive tearing or unusual discharge

• Blurry vision that doesn’t clear after lens removal

• Sensation of a foreign object in the eye

Even mild discomfort is a signal to follow safe lens removal procedures and rehydrate your eyes.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Rubbing can worsen scratches, spread bacteria, and increase irritation. Resist the urge, even if your eyes feel itchy or sticky.

2. Carefully Remove Your Lenses

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.

• Rehydrate the lens: Blink several times with preservative-free saline or rewetting drops to loosen the lens.

• Gentle removal: Slide the lens off with minimal pressure. If it resists, add more rehydration solution rather than force removal.

3. Inspect Each Lens

• Look for tears, discoloration, or debris.

• Damaged lenses should never be reused, discard them.

4. Rinse and Disinfect

• If lenses are intact, rinse them in fresh multipurpose solution.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for soaking and disinfecting before the next use.

Proper Lens Care and Eye Hydration

Artificial Tears or Lubricating Drops

• Use preservative-free drops every few hours to relieve dryness.

• Helps restore the tear film and reduces redness and irritation.

Warm Compress

• Apply a clean, warm compress for 5–10 minutes.

• Enhances blood circulation, reduces swelling, and promotes comfort.

Eye Rest

• Limit screen time after overnight lens wear.

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce strain.

When to Seek Professional Help

Some minor irritations resolve within 24–48 hours, but contact an eye care professional immediately if you experience:

• Severe or persistent pain

• Vision changes, such as halos or blurriness that doesn’t clear

• Swelling, redness, or discharge

• Sensation of a lens or foreign object still stuck in the eye

Prompt evaluation can prevent infections or long-term complications.

Preventing Future Incidents

Nightly Removal Ritual

• Keep your contact case and solution near a visual cue (like your toothbrush) to build a consistent habit.

Set Reminders

• Phone alarms or app notifications can prompt lens removal before sleep.

Opt for Daily Disposables

• If you frequently forget to remove lenses, daily disposables reduce infection risk and eliminate cleaning concerns.

Plan Evening Routines

• Establish a wind-down routine that includes lens removal.

• Reduce late-night screen time to minimize fatigue-driven forgetfulness.

Conclusion

Sleeping in contacts is a common mistake, but knowing how to respond promptly can safeguard your eyes:

• Remove lenses gently, using rehydration drops if needed.

• Rehydrate and rest your eyes with artificial tears, warm compresses, and screen breaks.

• Monitor for warning signs, seeking professional care if irritation, redness, or vision problems persist.

Preventive habits, nightly lens removal rituals, reminders, daily disposables, and structured bedtime routines, can drastically reduce risks. By taking these steps, you protect your vision, reduce discomfort, and ensure your eyes remain healthy and comfortable every day.