What are the risks of wearing contact lenses while sleeping?
October 30, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Ammelie Niemeyer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am reaching out to you because I am concerned about the potential risks of wearing contact lenses while sleeping. My name is Jessica Busch, I am 28 years old, and I have been wearing contact lenses for several years to correct my vision. Lately, I have been forgetting to take out my contact lenses before going to bed and falling asleep with them in my eyes.
I am aware that wearing contact lenses while sleeping is not recommended as it can lead to reduced oxygen supply to the eye, resulting in various issues such as dry eyes, irritations, or even infections. I have also heard of cases where individuals have experienced serious health problems due to wearing contact lenses while sleeping.
Therefore, I would like to know what specific risks wearing contact lenses while sleeping poses and how I can best protect my eyes. Are there any measures I can take to minimize the risk of complications? Should I only wear my contact lenses during the day and remove them at night?
I thank you in advance for your support and advice on this matter.
Sincerely,
Jessica Busch
Dear Mrs. Busch,
Thank you for your message and your candid words regarding your concerns about wearing contact lenses while sleeping. It is important to be aware of the risks and potential complications in order to protect your eye health to the best of your ability.
Wearing contact lenses while sleeping, especially overnight, can indeed lead to various problems. One of the main issues is the reduced oxygen supply to the eye. Contact lenses act as a barrier between your eye and the surrounding air, which is necessary to supply oxygen to your eye. Sleeping with your contact lenses in impairs this oxygen supply, which can lead to dry eyes, irritation, and potentially even infections.
Additionally, bacteria and deposits can accumulate on the contact lenses during sleep, increasing the risk of infection. In severe cases, this can lead to corneal ulcers or other serious eye issues.
To protect your eyes as best as possible, I strongly recommend removing your contact lenses before going to sleep and only wearing them during the day. This allows your eyes to regenerate overnight and receive sufficient oxygen. It is also important to regularly clean and disinfect your contact lenses to avoid deposits and minimize the risk of infections.
However, if you accidentally fall asleep with your contact lenses in, I recommend rinsing your eyes immediately and thoroughly cleaning your contact lenses before wearing them again. Also, be mindful of any signs of infection such as redness, pain, or blurred vision and seek prompt medical attention if needed.
I hope this information is helpful to you and encourages you to protect your eye health. If you have any further questions or need additional advice, I am happy to assist.
Best regards,
Ammelie Niemeyer
