Were you aware that nearly 33 percent of adults have fallen asleep while wearing contacts? We understand the struggle. After all, who wants to get out of bed and remove contact lenses after forgetting to take them out?
Sometimes, it feels like removing them when you’re tired can take forever. And other times, you might be so comfy in your bed that you may not feel like it.
Fortunately, there are some contacts you can wear at the same time as pressing snooze. If you’re curious about which contact lenses you can sleep in, read on to see what our expert optical team has to say.
Which contact lenses can you sleep in?
While it’s a good practice to remove your contacts at night before bed, there are some that it’s safe to sleep in. Extended wear contact lenses are one of them. They can be worn for more than a day, and many types of extended wear contacts are okay for overnight use. However, if you wear your extended wear contact lenses for too long, you can expose yourself to eye irritation and infections.
Also, don’t mistake daily contacts for extended wear. Most daily contacts should only be worn for up to one day and discarded after. It’s not safe to leave them in when you sleep.
How can you treat your eyes after sleeping with contacts?
At some point, you may fall asleep in the wrong contact lenses. Pull out your lenses as soon as you realize you passed out in them and take a break from them the next day. Prescription glasses are great to have on hand for times like this.
If you experience any dryness or irritation after sleeping in contacts, apply eye drops to restore moisture to your eyes. And if you have more severe side effects of sleeping in contacts, such as blurry vision, call your optometrist as soon as possible so that they can examine your eyes up close.
Summary: Is it okay if I accidentally slept in contacts?
Don’t stress too much if you accidentally slept in contacts. Just be sure to remove them when you wake up and switch to glasses for a day. That will give your eyes time to recoup when they need it the most.
But even while we don’t recommend sleeping in contacts by choice, some contacts are safe for this. Which contact lenses can you sleep in? Extended wear is one of them. To avoid the side effects of sleeping in contacts, such as dryness or eye irritation, you’ll still want to remove them every night before bed.
If you have any questions about how to treat your eyes after sleeping with contacts or what to do after sleeping in contacts one night, our eye care professionals are here to help.
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You can only sleep in contact lenses designed for overnight wear, such as Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus, which is approved for up to six consecutive nights of wear. Contact lenses are medical devices that require proper care and handling to avoid severe side effects.
Ortho-k lenses are customized contact lenses that gently reshape the eye overnight, allowing children and adults to enjoy clear vision the following day—without needing to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. They're ideal for people with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
AIR OPTIX® NIGHT & DAY® AQUA contact lenses can be worn from day to night and then some. The lenses offer comfortable continuous wear for people with busy lifestyles who need a flexible lens-wearing experience. *Eye exam may be required before lens trial.
Some good options for this type of lens is CooperVision's clariti® 1 day toric or MyDay® toric. Can I sleep in my contacts? It is not recommended to sleep in your contacts unless you have been prescribed lenses that are specifically designed for this purpose.
Can you sleep in Acuvue Oasys? Yes, you can sleep in Acuvue Oasys lenses for a maximum of 6 nights continuously before removing and disposing. However, before extended wear, please consult your optician for his or her advice on best practice.
It is not safe to sleep while wearing contacts, even if you are just taking a nap. The occasional or accidental nap in your contacts can increase your risk of an infection. If you think there is a chance you could fall asleep, it is safest to remove your contact lenses first.
The American Association of Ophthalmology (AOA) recommends taking regular breaks by using the “20-20-20” rule: Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
If you are wondering, “Can I sleep in the Biofinity toric contacts?”... the answer is yes. According to manufacturer instructions, Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses may be worn up to a maximum of six nights/seven days. However, not everyone's eyes can tolerate overnight wear of contact lenses.
Made from silicone hydrogel—a porous soft contact material—these lenses have an oxygen transmissibility of 138 Dk/t, which means they're one of the most breathable options on the market.
Important information for AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde® (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear or extended wear up to 6 nights for near/far-sightedness. Risk of serious eye problems (i.e., corneal ulcer) is greater for extended wear.
Thus, these lenses generally cost $1,000 to $2,000 for one pair and can cost as much as $4,000 per pair for difficult cases. You can also expect to pay $300 to $500 per year for things such as lens care solutions, follow-up exams and replacement lenses.
A key difference between the 2 lenses is their water content and oxygen permeability. ACUVUE 2 boasts a moderately high water content at 58%, which is higher than ACUVUE OASYS' 38%. Higher water content tends to be associated with high oxygen permeability, which in turn correlates with improved eye comfort and health.
Air Optix NIGHT & DAY are the contact lenses you can wear continuously for up to 30 nights and days: Breathes 5-6x better than ordinary soft contacts for better eye health. No daily inserting, removing or cleaning of contacts. Feel less dry than ordinary soft contact lenses.
They are approved for daily wear or extended wear for up to 7 days with a monthly replacement schedule. §Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® contact lenses are indicated for daily wear or extended wear of up to 6 nights and 7 days.
Air Optix NIGHT & DAY are the contact lenses you can wear continuously for up to 30 nights and days: Breathes 5-6x better than ordinary soft contacts for better eye health. No daily inserting, removing or cleaning of contacts. Feel less dry than ordinary soft contact lenses.
How long can I wear Extended Wear Lenses? Depending on the manufacturer and the advice of your doctor, extended wear lenses can be worn continuously anywhere between one and four weeks. However, it's important to note that not all eyes can tolerate wearing contacts continuously for the maximum four week period.
As of July 2021, the typical cost of an initial orthokeratology (or Ortho-K), ranges between $1,000 and $4,000. That incorporates an eye exam, the fitted lenses and some of the follow-up care. Your cost will increase if you have a higher level of refractive error to be corrected.
Don't wear contact lenses longer than designed. A daily disposable lens should be thrown away every day. A biweekly disposable lens should be thrown away after 14 days. A monthly disposable lens should be thrown away after 30 days.
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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