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Why People Accidentally Sleep in Contacts
Many people admit they’ve done it at least once. Common reasons include:
- Falling asleep while watching television
- Taking an unexpected nap
- Working long hours
- Traveling
- Forgetting they were still wearing lenses
While a single accidental incident doesn’t always cause harm, repeatedly sleeping in contacts significantly increases the chance of complications over time.
What Should You Do If You Wake Up Wearing Your Contacts?
If you accidentally slept with your lenses in:
- Don’t panic.
- Don’t force the lenses out if they feel stuck.
- Blink several times and use lubricating eye drops if recommended for contact lens wearers.
- Remove the lenses gently once your eyes feel comfortable.
- Give your eyes a break before wearing another pair if possible.
If you notice pain, redness, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light that doesn’t improve, seek advice from an eye care professional promptly.
Healthy Contact Lens Habits
Protecting your eyes doesn’t require much effort. Good habits include:
- Wash your hands before handling lenses.
- Replace lenses according to schedule.
- Clean reusable lenses properly.
- Use fresh disinfecting solution every time.
- Never use tap water to clean or store lenses.
- Replace your contact lens case regularly.
- Attend routine eye examinations.
These simple practices can greatly reduce the likelihood of complications.
Can Your Eyes Recover?
In many cases, mild irritation improves quickly after removing the lenses and allowing your eyes to rest. However, infections and more serious injuries require professional treatment.
Ignoring symptoms or continuing to wear contacts despite discomfort can allow problems to worsen.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
You should contact an eye care professional immediately if you experience:
- Persistent eye pain
- Significant redness
- Blurred or decreased vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eye discharge
- A feeling that something is stuck in your eye
- Symptoms that worsen instead of improving
Prompt evaluation can help prevent more serious complications.