Most people who wear contact lenses have likely fallen asleep in them at some point in their lives. However, you should do your best to take them out before going to bed. Leaving them in overnight can lead to various eye health issues, including those involving your vision. Learn more about the risks of wearing contacts to bed in the following guide. 

Potential Problems Caused By Wearing Contacts for Too Long

When you leave your contacts in while you sleep, your corneas—which are the clear outer layers in the front of the eyes—do not receive sufficient oxygen. This can cause them to swell, allowing bacteria into your eyes’ surface cells and potentially resulting in infections. Keratitis, or corneal inflammation, can occur. This condition causes eye redness, excessive watering, blurry vision, pain, and light sensitivity. 

Wearing contact lenses overnight also allows any bacteria on the lens to breed instead of being flushed out by tears, increasing the chances of infection. Your eye allergy risk also heightens because blinking while wearing contacts creates tiny abrasions on the inner eyelids. When combined with corneal inflammation, your eyes may become prone to irritation and dryness. 

Eye ulcers can even appear from wearing contacts for too long. They look like whitish or grayish specks on the eyes that increase the risk of blurry vision and blindness. 

How to Maintain Eye Health 

Taking out contact lenses before going to bed every night is one of the best things you can do for your eye health. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly to avoid transmitting bacteria into your eyes and water onto your contacts. Any water exposure causes contacts to swell and warp. 

It is possible to wear some contacts overnight. These options are known as extended-wear lenses. They are thinner than standard versions, which allows more oxygen to reach your eyes. Some extended-wear lenses can be worn day and night for seven days, while others can be worn for up to 30 straight days and nights. Should you decide that this option is right for your needs, consult with your optometrist to determine which type you should purchase to avoid eye infections and related symptoms.

If you need new contact lenses or advice on proper vision care, make an appointment at Van Keuren OD in Elyria, OH. This eye care center provides patients throughout Lorain County with a wide range of services, including glaucoma, cataract, and astigmatism testing. They can fit you for contacts or glasses, and their team is dedicated to giving each patient the full attention they deserve. Call (440) 365-2021 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website for more information.