Is It Okay To Sleep With Contacts In My Eyes?

If everyone is honest, you’d likely hear that the majority of people who wear contact lenses have fallen asleep with them in their eyes. While it is best to avoid sleeping with daily-wear lenses, there are types of contacts that are designed for overnight wear. At Eyecare Professionals in Mandan, Hazen, and Washburn, ND, we want everyone to know how to care for their eyes when they’re wearing contacts.

Understand the Risks of Wearing Daily Wear Contacts Overnight

Many people wear contacts that are only meant for daily use. Leaving them in overnight increases your risk of needing to visit your eye doctor to treat an eye infection. Your eyes may also be more likely to get dry or scratched if you don’t give them a break from wearing contact lenses.

Discuss Your Lifestyle and Eye Care Habits with Your Eye Doctor

If you work late-night hours or are prone to leaving your contacts in when you fall asleep, there is no shame in being honest about your lifestyle. Our eye doctor understands that people in professions such as nursing often work long, exhausting hours that make it hard to practice good eye care. When you know that removing contacts at night isn’t always on your top priority list, ask our optometrist near you about extended-wear lenses.

Consider Using Extended Wear Lenses

These types of lenses are designed for you to wear anywhere from a week to 30 days, depending upon the brand and style. Although wearing lenses continuously can increase your risk for eye infections and injuries, your eye doctor can help you minimize these concerns with regular exams. You’ll also need to follow the recommendations for giving your eyes a break periodically to reduce your risk of experiencing adverse effects. But these are still great solutions if you know you might skip removing and cleaning your lenses on a daily basis.

Ask About Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can make wearing contracts feel nearly impossible. Fortunately, the answer to your problem may be easy to find by visiting an optometrist near you. Orthokeratology lenses are meant to be worn overnight. As you sleep, they’ll reshape your cornea to correct refractive errors that cause nearsightedness. While you’ll wear them overnight, you’ll take them out during the day to provide you with relief.

Arrange for an Eye Exam Near You

New technology provides you with more options for wearing contacts than you might have had in the past. Whether you currently wear contacts or are exploring your options, our team at Eyecare Professionals in Mandan, Hazen and Washburn, ND, is here to help. Make your appointment for an eye exam near you today and discover the possibilities that exist to make correcting your vision easier.