Is It Safe To Sleep With Contacts In Accidental Overnight Wear What To Do

Sleeping with contact lenses in—even accidentally—puts your eyes at risk. While many wearers have done it at least once, it's a habit that can lead to serious complications. The cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye, relies on oxygen from the air to stay healthy. Contact lenses reduce this oxygen flow, and when worn during sleep, the deprivation intensifies. This creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, increasing the risk of infections, corneal ulcers, and even permanent vision damage.

Despite widespread awareness, studies show that nearly half of contact lens users admit to sleeping in their lenses at least occasionally. Some extended-wear lenses are FDA-approved for overnight use, but even those come with increased risk. For the vast majority of soft contact lenses, sleeping in them is strictly discouraged. If you’ve accidentally left your lenses in overnight, understanding the immediate steps to take and long-term precautions can help protect your eye health.

Why Sleeping in Contacts Is Dangerous

The human eye needs oxygen to function properly. When you're awake, your open eyes receive oxygen directly from the air. Contact lenses act as a barrier, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. During the day, blinking helps circulate tears and maintain moisture and oxygen levels. At night, when your eyes are closed, this circulation slows dramatically. With contact lenses still in place, oxygen levels in the cornea can drop by as much as 50% or more.

This hypoxic state makes the cornea more vulnerable. It can swell, become irritated, and develop micro-abrasions. These tiny injuries may not be noticeable at first but create entry points for bacteria. One of the most common and dangerous outcomes is microbial keratitis—an infection of the cornea that can progress rapidly and lead to scarring or vision loss if untreated.

“Even one night of sleeping in non-extended-wear contacts significantly increases the risk of corneal infection. The cornea doesn’t get the rest it needs to repair itself.” — Dr. Linda Wang, Optometrist and Corneal Specialist

Other potential complications include:

• Corneal neovascularization: New blood vessels grow into the cornea due to chronic oxygen deprivation.
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC): An inflammatory response often linked to protein buildup on lenses worn too long.
• Corneal edema: Swelling of the cornea, causing blurred vision and halos around lights.
• Ulcerative keratitis: Open sores on the cornea, often requiring antibiotics or even surgery.

Tip: If you frequently fall asleep with contacts in, keep a lens case on your nightstand as a visual reminder to remove them before bed.

What to Do Immediately After Accidental Overnight Wear

If you wake up and realize you slept in your contacts, don’t panic—but act quickly. Your priority is to minimize damage and assess whether professional evaluation is needed. Follow these steps:

1. Remove the lenses gently. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel. Blink several times to moisten your eyes before attempting removal. If the lenses feel stuck, apply rewetting drops and wait a few minutes.
2. Do not reuse the lenses. Even if they appear intact, they may have trapped debris or bacteria overnight. Discard daily disposables immediately. For reusable lenses, it’s safest not to reinsert them after such an incident.
3. Inspect your eyes for symptoms. Look in the mirror for redness, swelling, unusual discharge, or cloudiness. Ask someone else to check if possible—sometimes inflammation is more visible to others.
4. Give your eyes a break. Switch to glasses for at least 24 hours to allow the cornea to recover oxygen levels and heal minor irritation.
5. Use lubricating eye drops. Preservative-free artificial tears can help soothe dryness and flush out irritants. Avoid medicated or redness-reducing drops unless prescribed.
6. Contact your eye care provider if symptoms develop. Pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or persistent discomfort are red flags requiring immediate attention.

When to Seek Emergency Eye Care

Not every overnight incident leads to complications, but certain signs should never be ignored:

Symptom	Urgency Level	Action Required
Eye pain or ache	High	See an optometrist or ophthalmologist within 24 hours
Blurred or hazy vision	High	Seek evaluation immediately—could indicate corneal swelling or infection
Sensitivity to light	Moderate to High	Rest in dim light and consult a doctor if persistent
Redness with discharge	Moderate	Could be infection; avoid wearing contacts until cleared
Dryness or mild irritation only	Low	Rest eyes, use drops, monitor for 24 hours

Real-Life Scenario: A Close Call with Corneal Infection

Jessica, a 28-year-old graphic designer, regularly worked late nights. One evening, exhausted after a deadline, she fell asleep with her two-week disposable contacts still in. She didn’t notice until morning, when her right eye felt gritty and sensitive to light. Assuming it was dryness, she applied eye drops and put on her glasses.

By afternoon, the discomfort worsened. Her eye was noticeably red, and her vision had become slightly blurry. Concerned, she visited her optometrist, who used a slit lamp to examine her cornea. The doctor discovered a small epithelial defect—a tiny scratch—with early signs of bacterial infiltration. Jessica was diagnosed with early-stage microbial keratitis.

She was prescribed antibiotic eye drops and told to discontinue contact lens use for three weeks. Follow-up visits confirmed healing, but the experience changed her habits. She now removes her lenses before dinner and keeps her case and solution on her bedside table as a nightly ritual.

Her story underscores a key point: symptoms may not appear immediately, but damage can begin within hours.

Preventing Future Accidents: Practical Strategies

Prevention is far safer than treatment. Even if you’ve escaped harm after sleeping in contacts once, repeated exposure increases cumulative risk. Consider these strategies to eliminate accidental overnight wear:

Tip: Set a nightly phone alarm labeled “Remove Contacts” until the habit becomes automatic.

Checklist: Nightly Contact Lens Routine

• Wash hands before handling lenses
• Remove lenses before washing face or showering
• Clean and disinfect reusable lenses according to solution instructions
• Replace lens case every 1–3 months
• Store lenses in fresh solution—never top off old solution
• Put glasses beside your bed to wear upon waking
• Keep a spare pair of glasses in your bedroom

Additionally, consider switching to daily disposable lenses. Since they’re discarded each night, there’s no cleaning step—and less temptation to leave them in. Dailies also reduce the risk of protein and bacterial buildup, making them a healthier option for busy lifestyles.

If you're someone who wears contacts for sports, work, or cosmetic reasons but wants to reduce dependency, talk to your eye doctor about orthokeratology (Ortho-K). These rigid gas-permeable lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day without lenses. They’re FDA-approved and offer a unique solution for those prone to accidental wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sleep in my contacts just once without harm?

While many people do it without immediate issues, even a single instance increases the risk of infection. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that sleeping in contacts not designed for overnight wear raises the risk of corneal infection by six to eight times. There’s no safe threshold—avoidance is the best policy.

Are some contacts safe to sleep in?

Yes, certain brands like Air Optix Night & Day or Biofinity Energys are FDA-approved for up to 30 days of continuous wear. However, even these carry higher risks than daily wear. Extended wear is generally recommended only for patients under close supervision and with strong hygiene practices. Never assume your lenses are approved—check the packaging or ask your eye doctor.

What if I forget and do it again?

If it happens again, follow the same steps: remove lenses, rest your eyes, monitor symptoms, and consult a professional if anything seems off. Repeated incidents should prompt a conversation with your optometrist about alternative vision correction options, such as LASIK or daily disposables.

Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Vision Starts Tonight

Your eyes are irreplaceable. While contact lenses offer convenience and freedom, they demand responsibility. Accidentally sleeping in them is common, but it’s a gamble with your long-term eye health. The good news is that simple behavioral changes—like setting reminders, keeping glasses nearby, and using dailies—can eliminate the risk entirely.

If you’ve already experienced overnight wear, use it as a wake-up call. Evaluate your routine, replace old cases, and schedule an eye exam if it’s been over a year. Knowledge is power, but action is protection. Make tonight the last time you risk your vision for convenience.

💬 Have a story about accidental contact wear or tips that helped you change your habits? Share your experience in the comments to help others stay safe and informed.