Sleeping with Contact Lenses on Can Lead to Serious Eye Damage

Sleeping with contact lenses on increases the risk of eye damage, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the United States, about 45 million people are reportedly using contact lenses. Based on the CDC’s report, one out of three contact lens wearers admitted to having contact lenses on while sleeping. The CDC warned that people who do this practice are six to eight times more at risk of having an eye infection than those who do not. New York-based ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Fromer explained that contact lenses trap bacteria in the eye’s outermost layer—the cornea /ˈkoɚnijə/. This means that wearing lenses overnight creates an environment for bacterial growth and infection, which can cause incurable eye damage. The CDC further reported that some patients who slept while wearing contact lenses suffered from grave conditions like permanent blindness, scarring, and corneal ulcer—a condition caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Dr. Emerson Que, an ophthalmologist from the United Hospital Center Ophthalmology, still perceives contact lenses as helpful devices that can aid the improvement of one’s vision despite the aforementioned risks. However, he emphasized the importance of proper lens use and maintenance. The doctor gave tips on how to use and take care of contact lenses. Aside from removing them before sleeping, the lenses must be disinfected and cleaned properly. The solution used to clean the lenses should also be replaced regularly. Dr. Que added that contact lens wearers must replace their lenses as prescribed by their ophthalmologists.