{"id":1038,"date":"2019-01-14T07:56:47","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T07:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lensdirect.com\/blog\/?p=540"},"modified":"2023-11-09T15:24:31","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T15:24:31","slug":"can-i-sleep-in-my-contact-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/contact-lenses\/can-i-sleep-in-my-contact-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sleep in My Contact Lenses?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It sure is tempting to fall into bed after a night on the town or a long hard day at the office with your contact lenses in. So <\/span>can you sleep in contacts<\/span> or is this something you should avoid no matter what? Actually, some extended wear contact lenses are FDA approved to sleep in, but removing them before you go to bed is still your best bet. Read on to find out why sleeping or napping with contacts in a bad idea, no matter how tired you feel! <\/span><\/p>\n

What Happens if You Sleep in Contacts?<\/h2>\n

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), <\/span>sleeping with contacts in<\/span> increases the risk of developing a serious eye infection six to eight times! You\u2019re likely wondering why and the answer is simple. When you\u2019re awake, your eyes are typically open (maybe even during that ridiculously long weekly meeting at work). When your eyes are closed with contacts in, nourishing oxygen has a hard time reaching your corneas. This can cause oxidative stress and lead to inflammation, dry eye, red eye, abrasions, infections, eye ulcers, and permanent damage to your sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you guilty of this behavior? If so, you\u2019re certainly not alone! In <\/span>August 2018<\/span><\/a>, the CDC published a report showing sleeping or napping in contact lenses is a risky and common behavior in people of all ages: <\/span><\/p>\n