Updated: January 19, 2026
You generally should not sleep with contact lenses in unless your eye doctor has specifically prescribed lenses for overnight or extended wear. Sleeping reduces oxygen reaching the cornea and slows normal tear exchange, which can leave lenses feeling dry, stuck, or irritating when you wake up. It also increases the chance that germs can be trapped against the eye, raising the risk of serious infections like keratitis.
What Happens If You Sleep in Contacts:
- More dryness and irritation: lenses can feel scratchy, tight, or hard to remove after sleeping.
- Higher infection risk: sleeping in lenses is a major risk factor for contact lens-related eye infections and corneal ulcers.
- Redness and blurry vision: reduced oxygen and irritation can cause morning redness and temporary blur.
- Lens damage or deposits: overnight wear can increase buildup on the lens, which may worsen comfort and clarity.
- Warning signs: pain, increasing redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurry vision are reasons to stop wearing contacts and get prompt eye care.
Sleeping in contact lenses can lead to dryness and irritation and significantly increases infection risk, which is why overnight wear should only happen with a prescriber-approved lens and schedule.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/prevention/index.html. Updated May 27, 2025.
Corneal Infections Associated with Sleeping in Contact Lenses — Six Cases, United States, 2016–2018. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6732a2.htm. Published August 17, 2018.
What To Know If Your Child Wants Contact Lenses. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-if-your-child-wants-contact-lenses. August 7, 2023.
