The Hidden Dangers of Sleeping in Contact Lenses
The Risks Are Real
You know you shouldn’t sleep in your contact lenses, but sometimes it happens. Late nights, naps, and unexpected sleepovers can lead to a lapse in judgment. However, the consequences of sleeping in your contacts can be severe. Infections, eye damage, and discomfort are just a few of the risks associated with sleeping in contact lenses.
The Science Behind the Risks
When you wear contact lenses, your eyes receive less oxygen. When you close your eyes to sleep, the oxygen supply decreases even further. This can cause your corneas to swell, creating gaps between your eye’s surface cells. Bacteria can then sneak into these gaps, leading to infections like microbial keratitis. In fact, the CDC suggests that sleeping in your contacts increases your risk of developing this infection by six to eight times.
The Consequences of Infection
If you develop an eye infection, it can lead to severe consequences, including permanent damage to your eyes. Your immune system doesn’t protect your eyes as well as the rest of your body, so infections can spread quickly. If left untreated, infections can even lead to blindness.
The Importance of Proper Care
To avoid these risks, it’s essential to follow proper contact lens hygiene and care practices. The American Optometric Association recommends washing and drying your hands before touching contact lenses, carefully following your eye doctor’s instructions for cleaning, and avoiding saline solutions and rewetting drops when cleaning lenses.
The Alternative
If you must sleep in your contacts, look for lenses approved by the FDA for overnight wear. However, even these lenses can lead to infection, so it’s best not to make a habit of using them. If you do need to sleep in your lenses, remember to flood your eyes with drops when you wake up to reduce the risk of infection.
Take Care of Your Eyes
Remember, your eyes are a delicate and essential part of your body. Taking care of them is crucial to maintaining good eye health. By following proper contact lens hygiene and care practices, you can reduce the risks associated with sleeping in your contacts. So, take the extra minute to remove your contacts before bed and give your eyes the rest they deserve. They’ll thank you for it!
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