The holidays are prime time for sleeping in contact lenses. A red-eye flight home, a long back-seat nap on a road trip, a late party followed by falling asleep on the couch. It feels harmless in the moment. It is one of the most common habits behind the painful red eyes I see in December.
What an ophthalmologist warns about
In the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) Ask an Ophthalmologist series, a patient described waking up with swollen, bloodshot eyes after sleeping in contacts. The answering ophthalmologist explained that sleeping in contact lenses can cause many problems:
- New blood vessels growing into the cornea (corneal neovascularization)
- Allergic reactions to the lenses, such as giant papillary conjunctivitis
- Deep infections of the cornea (corneal ulcers), which are painful and can reduce vision
The same answer notes that purple, puffy eyelids are never normal and can signal a lid infection that may need oral or IV antibiotics.
If you already slept in them
- Take the lenses out as soon as you wake up and wear glasses for the day.
- Do not put in a fresh pair until your eye feels completely normal.
- If you have pain, redness that does not settle, discharge, light sensitivity or blurry vision, see an eye doctor promptly.
- If you are already on treatment and not improving as expected, or develop new symptoms, call your doctor again. The AAO stresses keeping in touch with your ophthalmologist.
A travel kit that prevents the problem
- A clean lens case and a travel-size bottle of fresh solution in your carry-on
- Your glasses, always within reach
- A phone reminder to remove lenses before a flight or long drive
- Daily disposable lenses, if your doctor says they suit you, so you can simply throw them away
Glaucoma patients who also wear contacts have extra drop-timing questions; this glaucoma education blog covers many of them.
The AAO’s advice is short: don’t sleep in your contacts, and you will have a much better chance of long-term comfortable wear. Pack the glasses.
Source: How long will it take for treatment to clear up an eye infection from contact lenses? (American Academy of Ophthalmology, Ask an Ophthalmologist). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.