Contact lenses are curved optical lenses that are placed on the cornea of the eye to correct vision problems. Many fall asleep wearing them, which often results in distress. Recent research has shown that one-third of contact wearers accidentally fall asleep with their lenses still in, often experiencing dryness and other issues. While mild discomfort causes no harm, sleeping with contact lenses is linked to a significant increase in the risk of serious eye infections, even permanent damage if not addressed on time. Lenses Are Approved For Sleep, But Are They Safe? Some contact lenses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for extended wear, including overnight use. However, experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warn that even approved lenses can pose a risk when worn during sleep. While the FDA has cleared certain lenses for overnight use, sleeping in any lenses still increases the likelihood of eye infections by six to eight times. Infections can cause permanent damage to the cornea and, in rare cases, result in loss of vision. The CDC emphasizes that wearing contact lenses—whether for vision correction or purely for cosmetic purposes—during sleep significantly increases the risk of infection.Who's At Risk?Nearly all contact lens wearers are at risk, but studies show that younger and older adults are particularly prone to practices that can lead to eye infections. Research reveals that 85% of teenage contact lens wearers, 81% of young adults, and 88% of older adults engage in at least one risky behaviour, such as sleeping in their contacts. Young adults and older adults are especially vulnerable, as they tend to wear lenses overnight more frequently.How Does Sleeping In Contacts Raise Your Risk of Infection?When you’re awake, blinking keeps your eyes moist, and the natural flow of oxygen through your tears helps protect your eyes from infection. However, when you sleep in contact lenses, the lenses block oxygen from reaching your cornea. This lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, weakens the cornea’s ability to fight off bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.What Can Go Wrong?Several eye conditions can result from sleeping in contact lenses, including:1. Bacterial Keratitis: This infection affects the cornea and is often caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Extended-wear lenses, weakened immune systems, and eye injuries can all increase the risk of bacterial keratitis. If untreated, this condition can cause permanent corneal scarring.2. Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Acanthamoeba, a microscopic amoeba found in water, can lead to severe eye infections. This condition can develop if you wear your contacts while swimming or rinse them with tap water. Treatment requires a prolonged regimen of medicated eye drops, and in some cases, surgery may be necessary.3. Fungal Keratitis: Fungal infections of the cornea are more common in tropical climates but can occur anywhere. If left untreated, fungal keratitis can result in blindness. Trauma, such as exposure to plants, often triggers this condition in contact lens wearers.What If I Accidentally Fall Asleep in My Contacts?If you ever accidentally fall asleep with your contacts on, the first thing that you should do is remove them at the earliest. If you have trouble removing them, don't pull forcefully—use sterile artificial tear drops to moisten your eyes and loosen the lenses. Then wait five to ten minutes and gently remove them. It is important to note that you should avoid wearing your contacts for the rest of the day and monitor your eyes for any signs of discomfort or infection. If symptoms like blurred vision, redness, or excessive tearing develop, consult an eye doctor immediately.