Sleeping with Contact Lenses: Dangerous or Not?

Contact lenses can help users see more clearly without wearing glasses. Contact lenses are an alternative for eyeglass users who like sports or outdoor activities. Contact lenses are also an option for people who are unable or unwilling to wear glasses due to appearance reasons. In fact, people without visual impairments are increasingly using contact lenses to enhance their appearance. Along with the increasing use, it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep while wearing contact lenses. According to a study in Thailand, 31.85% of contact lens wearers' bad behavior is falling asleep using contact lenses. Danger or not?

What Type of Contact Lenses Can You Wear to Sleep?

Contact lenses are broadly divided into soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses. The type that is more often used is the soft contact lens. Soft contact lenses are divided into extended wear types and ordinary types. Extended wear contact lenses are specially designed using a material that can be worn continuously on the eyes for 1-4 weeks depending on the instructions for use so that they can be worn to sleep. Unlike the case with ordinary contact lenses that can only be worn for a maximum of 8 hours per day and must be removed while sleeping. Ordinary contact lenses need to be replaced periodically according to the period of use of each product. Some need to be replaced daily, weekly, monthly, 3 months, or 6 months. Keep in mind that this period is not the length of time that contact lenses are allowed to remain in the eye continuously.

 

Why Don't Wear Contact Lenses To Sleep?

During sleep the eyes do not blink while the blinking movement serves to produce and spread tears evenly. The tears function to moisten the eyeball and help the process of transferring oxygen to the surface of the eyeball. As a result, the eyeball becomes drier during sleep and the flow of oxygen is also reduced. With the use of contact lenses, tears and oxygen will be blocked, thereby increasing dryness and reducing the flow of oxygen to the surface of the eyeball. This can result in:

    Dry eyes are characterized by gritty, itchy, or lumpy eyes
    Red eye
    Contact lenses stick to the surface of the eye and are difficult to remove

If falling asleep using contact lenses is allowed to become a habit and is done continuously, it can result in:

    Inflammation of the surface of the eyeball and swelling of the surface of the eyeball
    Inflammation of the clear membrane of the eye due to an inflammatory reaction that is allowed to continue.
    Increases the risk of infection and ulcers.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Sleeping With Contact Lenses?

If you have fallen asleep wearing contact lenses, don't panic. Contact lenses in general will become dry and stick tightly to the surface of the eye, making it difficult to remove. Do not force the contact lens off because it can scratch the surface of the eye. Wet the surface of the eye with moisturizing eyeball first, then slowly remove the contact lens. Immediately wash and soak contact lenses as directed. Wet the surface of the eye with moisturizing eyeball liquid 4-6 times a day. Rest your eyes from wearing contact lenses for 1-2 days. If your eyes still feel uncomfortable, red, or swollen, immediately consult an ophthalmologist.

 

Schedule of Ophthalmologists at Hermina Hospital Karawang:

dr. Azalia Latuasan, SpM : Monday - Friday (12.00 - 19.00) & Sunday (13.00 - 18.00)

dr. Andreas Surya Anugrah Sinaga, SpM : Monday - Saturday (07.00 - 10.00)