Can One Sleep in Contacts?

Certain types of contact lenses allow for overnight wear. These lenses are newer materials and are more permeable to oxygen than older contact lens materials. However, there are still some risks to sleeping in contact lenses.

Extended and Continuous Wear Lenses

• Contact lenses for overnight wear are known as extended or continuous wear lenses. These lenses are very permeable to oxygen, meaning that even if worn overnight, the front of the eye still gets the oxygen it needs to remain healthy. In older and less oxygen-permeable contact lens materials, the amount of oxygen that gets to the eye during sleep is inadequate, making the cornea, or clear covering of the eye swell, greatly increasing risk of infection.

Brands of Lenses for Overnight Wear

• There are a number of available soft contact lens materials that are approved for overnight wear, such as Oasys, Air Optix, Biofinity and Purevision. Additionally, certain rigid gas permeable lenses also are able to be worn overnight, such as those made with Menicon-Z-alpha.

Risks of Overnight Wear in Approved Lenses

• There are still some risks to wearing lenses overnight. The primary risk is a somewhat increased chance of corneal ulcer, or infection to the front of the eye. Corneal ulcers are very painful and can be sight-threatening as well.

Risks of Overnight Wear in Unapproved Lenses

• There is a greatly increased risk of corneal ulcer with overnight wear in unapproved lenses. Additionally, wearing unapproved lenses overnight can lead to a condition known as corneal neovascularization, where the cornea grows blood vessels and eventually clouds over, blocking vision.

Overnight Wear in Colored or Theatrical Contact Lenses

• There are no colored or theatrical contact lenses that are approved for overnight wear.

Talk to Your Eye Doctor

• Your eye doctor is the best judge of whether overnight contact lens wear is safe for you.