Is it possible to sleep in lenses?

Many people admit to sleeping with contact lenses on in some cases. There are many reasons for this: some people forget to take them off, some decide that they can sleep in the lenses for one night, some do this on purpose to make sure how true the doctors’ warnings are.

Is it possible to sleep in lenses: expert opinion

It is difficult to give an exact answer to this question. Because you need to understand that all products are different. They are made from different materials, differing in hydrophilicity and air permeability, which affects the mode of use.

The basic rule, which doctors always talk about and manufacturers indicate on packages, is that contact lenses are a medical device for the treatment of eye pathologies, and therefore their wearing must strictly comply with the prescriptions of the ophthalmologist.

The products can only be used for the time specified by the manufacturer, due to the special production technology, as well as the material used during manufacturing. Failure to comply with this rule can result in serious consequences and eye diseases.

Most models currently on the optical market can be worn for 10-16 hours. This means that they can only be used during the day.

Many believe that if the products can be worn for the specified time, then they can be left on during sleep, since people usually sleep no longer than this time.But you still need to put the optics away at night.

Reference! It’s just that the wearing period, for example, 10 hours, is indicated by the manufacturer only if the lenses are used during the day. Despite the fact that new models are made from modern materials that are characterized by increased oxygen permeability, the cornea requires a natural environment - exposure to air.

What could be the consequences?

If the model of an optical product is not intended for sleeping, then this can provoke the following negative consequences:

• pain;
• dryness and swelling of the cornea;
• accumulation of protein sputum;
• a veil before the eyes;
• a high concentration of carbon dioxide is a favorable condition for the appearance of microbes;
• redness of the whites of the eye;
• the appearance of keratitis.

If it is impossible to remove the products before going to bed, it is best to choose disposable lenses; they are most often used for up to 14 hours. At night they are removed, as the next day the next pair is put on.

Important! It is recommended to consult a doctor before making a purchase.

Fell asleep in contact lenses: what to do

If you accidentally fall asleep in your lenses, the products may then become dry, which makes them difficult to remove. If you are afraid of side effects, you experience pain, redness, decreased vision, or you cannot remove the lenses, you should urgently consult an ophthalmologist.

What to do if you accidentally fall asleep:

1. Wait a short time before attempting to remove the lenses.
2. If necessary, use moisturizers for optical products. This will make it easier to remove.
3. Do not use lenses for 2-3 hours to make sure that nothing has happened to your eyes.

The eye can only obtain the required oxygen from the air.When optical products are worn, access is reduced; if you close your eyes, there is virtually no oxygen access. During sleep this can reach a critical level.

Due to lack of oxygen, swelling of the cornea appears, which provokes erosion. And it, in turn, increases the risk of developing pathogenic microorganisms by about 5 times. And since the eyes do not have a strong immune system, bacteria spread quickly. Beyond that, contact lenses are essentially petri dishes that keep a breeding ground for germs in the eye.