If you wear contact lenses, you’ve probably asked yourself, what contacts can you sleep in? It’s a common question for anyone seeking convenience or dealing with a hectic schedule. The simple answer is that only certain types of contact lenses are approved for overnight wear, and using the wrong ones can seriously risk your eye health. This guide will explain everything you need to know about sleeping in contacts safely, the specific lenses designed for it, and the critical rules you must follow.
What Contacts Can You Sleep In
Not all contact lenses are created equal, especially when it comes to overnight wear. The only contacts you can sleep in are those specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for extended wear. These lenses are made from advanced, highly oxygen-permeable materials. Your cornea, the clear front part of your eye, needs oxygen from the air to stay healthy. Sleeping in any lens reduces that oxygen supply, but extended wear lenses are designed to allow much more oxygen to pass through even when your eyes are closed.
Types of Lenses Approved for Overnight Use
There are two main categories of lenses that recieve approval for sleeping:
- Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: Some RGP lenses are approved for extended wear. They are very durable and allow excellent oxygen flow. However, they can be less comfortable initially than soft lenses and are less commonly prescribed for overnight use today.
- Soft Silicone Hydrogel Lenses: This is the most common type of lens prescribed for extended wear. Silicone hydrogel is a material that allows significantly more oxygen to reach the cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. Most modern “sleepable” contacts are made from this material.
Key Factors: Oxygen Transmissibility and Water Content
The science behind safe overnight wear boils down to two main factors. The first is oxygen transmissibility (often called the Dk/t value). This measures how much oxygen can pass through the lens to your cornea. Lenses approved for sleeping have a high Dk/t value. The second is water content. While important for comfort, a very high water content doesn’t necessarily mean more oxygen; with silicone hydrogel, the silicone does the heavy lifting for oxygen flow, even with a lower water content.
How to Identify Approved Lenses
You cannot assume a lens is safe for sleeping based on its brand or how it feels. Always check the labeling and your doctor’s prescription. Lenses approved for extended wear will be clearly marked with a specific wearing schedule, such as “up to 7 days of continuous wear” or “30 nights of continuous wear.” Popular examples of lenses that often have FDA approval for extended wear include:
- Air Optix Night & Day Aqua
- Biofinity
- Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus (for up to 7 days)
Important: Even within these brands, not every lens type or prescription may be approved for sleep. Your eye care professional will determine if your eyes are suitable and which specific lens is right for you.
The Critical Importance of Professional Fitting
Getting a proper fitting is non-negotiable. Your eye doctor will:
- Measure your eye’s curvature to ensure the lens fits correctly. A lens that is too tight can restrict oxygen and fluid exchange even more.
- Evaluate your tear film and overall eye health to see if your eyes can tolerate overnight lens wear. Some people’s eyes simply are not suited for it, regardless of the lens type.
- Provide you with the exact brand, material, and wearing schedule approved for your eyes. Never use a friend’s lenses or switch to a different schedule without consultation.
The Serious Risks of Sleeping in Non-Approved Contacts
Sleeping in contact lenses not designed for it is one of the biggest risk factors for severe eye infections and complications. When you sleep, your eyelid creates a warm, moist environment against the lens, trapping bacteria and reducing oxygen. Here’s what can happen:
Corneal Neovascularization
This is a condition where your cornea, starved for oxygen, starts growing new blood vessels to try and get more. These vessels can grow into the clear part of the cornea, potentially causing permanent vision blurring and scarring.
Corneal Ulcers (Infectious Keratitis)
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea caused by a severe infection. Symptoms include severe pain, redness, discharge, and light sensitivity. It can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness if not treated aggressively and immediately. Studies show that sleeping in contacts increases the risk of microbial keratitis by 5 to 8 times.
Contact Lens Acute Red Eye (CLARE)
This is a sudden onset of eye redness, discomfort, and tearing upon waking. It’s an inflammatory response often caused by bacterial toxins trapped under the lens overnight. While it usually resolves after removing the lens, it’s a clear warning sign.
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
This is an allergic inflammation under the upper eyelids, often triggered by protein deposits on lenses or the physical presence of a lens. Sleeping in lenses dramatically increases the risk of developing GPC, which causes itching, mucus discharge, and lens intolerance.
Safe Practices If You Sleep in Your Contacts
If your doctor has approved you for extended wear, following these rules is essential to minimize risk. Adherence is not optional; it’s your primary defense against infection.
Strict Adherence to Replacement Schedules
If your lenses are approved for 7-day continuous wear, you must remove and discard them after 7 days. For 30-day lenses, discard after 30 days. Do not try to stretch the schedule. The lens material breaks down and accumulates deposits over time, increasing risk.
Meticulous Hygiene When Handling
Every time you handle your lenses—whether inserting, removing, or cleaning—you must practice perfect hygiene.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, drying them with a lint-free towel.
- Use only fresh, unexpired contact lens solution. Never use water, saliva, or homemade saline.
- Rub and rinse your lenses with solution as recommended, even if using a “no-rub” formula, to help remove deposits.
- Store lenses in a clean case filled with fresh solution every time. Rinse the case with solution and let it air-dry daily, and replace it at least every three months.
Listen to Your Eyes: Know the Red Flags
Your eyes will tell you when something is wrong. If you experience any of the following, remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye doctor:
- Redness that doesn’t go away
- Pain or discomfort
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing or unusual discharge
- A feeling that something is in your eye
Do not ignore these symptoms or try to “wait it out.” Early treatment is crucial.
Schedule Mandatory Eye Exams
Even if your vision seems fine, annual eye exams are mandatory for extended wear contact lens users. Your doctor needs to check for subtle signs of problems like neovascularization or early GPC that you might not feel. They can also reconfirm the lens is still the best fit for your eyes.
Alternatives to Consider
Given the risks, it’s worth thinking about alternatives that offer convenience without the same level of risk.
Daily Disposable Lenses
This is often considered the safest type of soft contact lens. You wear a fresh, sterile pair each morning and throw them away at night. There’s no cleaning, no solution, and no buildup of deposits. If you occasionally nap or fall asleep in them, the risk is lower because you discard them the next day. However, they are still not approved for intentional overnight wear.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses only while you sleep. They gently reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without any lenses. It’s a popular option for myopia control in children and for adults who want daytime freedom from contacts or glasses. It requires a specialized fitting and strict adherence to cleaning protocols.
Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK/PRK)
For a permanent solution to refractive error, laser vision correction can eliminate the need for contacts altogether. It’s a one-time procedure with a high satisfaction rate. A consultation with a refractive surgeon can determine if you are a good candidate based on your corneal thickness, prescription, and overall eye health.
Common Scenarios and Myths Debunked
“Can I just take a nap in my daily lenses?”
A short, unplanned nap is generally low risk, but it’s not without any risk. The longer your eyes are closed with lenses in, the greater the oxygen deprivation. It’s best to try and remove them even for a nap. If you nap frequently, consider daily disposables so you can remove them immediately upon waking.
“My friend sleeps in their lenses and they’re fine.”
This is survivorship bias. While many people may do it without immediate consequence, they are playing a dangerous game with their sight. The damage from chronic low oxygen can be gradual and silent until a serious infection occurs. Don’t base your eye health on anecdotal evidence.
“I’ve done it before and nothing happened.”
Every time you sleep in non-approved lenses, you roll the dice. Past luck does not guarantee future safety. One incident of poor hygiene or a minor eye scratch combined with overnight wear can lead to a severe infection.
“They feel fine when I wake up, so it must be okay.”
Comfort is not a reliable indicator of safety. Conditions like corneal neovascularization often have no symptoms in the early stages. By the time you feel discomfort from an ulcer, the infection is already advanced.
FAQ Section
What kind of contacts can you sleep in?
You can only sleep in contact lenses that are FDA-approved for extended or continuous wear. These are typically made from silicone hydrogel or certain rigid gas permeable materials that allow high oxygen flow. Your eye doctor must prescribe them specifically for overnight use.
Is it safe to sleep in daily contact lenses?
No, it is not safe. Daily disposable contact lenses are not approved or designed for overnight wear. Sleeping in them significantly increases your risk of eye infections and other complications, even if you throw them away the next morning.
Can you sleep in monthly contacts?
Only if they are specifically approved for continuous wear. Most monthly replacement lenses are designed for daily wear only—meaning you must remove them each night. Check the packaging and your prescription; if it doesn’t say “extended wear,” you should not sleep in them.
What happens if you accidentally sleep in your contacts?
If you accidentally fall asleep in lenses not approved for it, remove them as soon as you wake up. Give your eyes a break by wearing glasses for the rest of the day. Use lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry or irritated. If you experience pain, redness, or blurred vision that persists, contact your eye doctor promptly.
How many nights can you sleep in extended wear contacts?
The maximum number of continuous nights depends on the specific lens and your doctor’s recommendation. Common schedules are up to 7 consecutive days or up to 30 consecutive days. You must strictly follow the replacement schedule and never exceed the approved wear time.
Ultimately, the question of what contacts can you sleep in has a clear, medically-grounded answer. Only use lenses that your eye care professional has fitted and prescribed for that exact purpose. The convenience of overnight wear comes with a significant responsibility to follow hygiene and replacement rules without exception. Prioritizing your eye health means understanding the risks, respecting the guidelines, and always erring on the side of caution. If you value your vision, never compromise on safe contact lens practices.