In brief, you can only sleep in contact lenses that are designed for overnight wear, such as Acuvue Oasys (up to 6 consecutive nights). Other contacts rated for overnight usage include AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA. Outside of Acuvue and Air Optix, PureVision contacts made by Bausch & Lomb is another brand rated for night and day wear. Each of these lenses have been approved by the FDA to sleep in. Seeking guidance from your ECP prior to your using contacts in this mode is also a must as individual situations vary. All of these brands are available on Lens.com for purchase, with a prescription.
To prevent eye infections, you should only sleep in contact lenses that are FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear. Here are the most popular contact lenses available on Lens.com that are FDA-approved for overnight wear. For more information on overnight wear contacts and our definitive and regularly updated list, read on.
Why is it risky to sleep in contact lenses that are not FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear?
Sleeping in contact lenses that are not designed for overnight or extended wear increases your risk of contracting eye infections. Contact lenses absorb moisture from the eyes and sleeping in contact lenses deprives your eyes of much-needed oxygen.
There are no blood vessels in your corneas, which means they get their oxygen directly from the air. Sleeping in contact lenses prevents your corneas from getting the oxygen it needs to stay healthy. Corneal hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) can lead to corneal warping, scarring, and pain.Â
However, the most significant risk of sleeping in contact lenses not approved for extended wear is eye infections. Your risk of contracting eye infections increases six to eight times when you sleep in your contact lenses.
Why are some contact lenses FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear while others aren’t?
The simplest reason why not all contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear is that contact lens manufacturers have to apply for FDA approval. Applying for FDA approval is a lengthy process that requires the submission of studies and research documents as well as passing clinical trials. If a manufacturer wants FDA approval, they’d have to spend a considerable amount of time and resources.
Another reason is that contact lenses that are designed for overnight wear are made of thinner material compared to daily wear contact lenses. Many contact lens brands that are FDA-approved for overnight wear are also made with silicone hydrogel, which is significantly more breathable than standard hydrogel. Silicone hydrogel allows for much better oxygen transmissibility, which is an important factor when wearing contact lenses for extended periods.
What is oxygen transmissibility in contact lenses?
Oxygen transmissibility refers to oxygen’s ability to pass through the contact lens material. The first contact lens materials were impermeable to oxygen. Your corneas need oxygen to stay healthy and hydrated, and wearing contact lenses that prevent the corneas from receiving oxygen can result in complications such as corneal inflammation and eye infections.
The good news is that there have been plenty of amazing innovations in contact lenses since they were first introduced to the public. Today’s soft contact lenses are made using either hydrogel, which has low to moderate oxygen transmissibility, or silicone hydrogel, which has high oxygen transmissibility.
Hydrogel contact lenses meet the oxygen requirements (open eye) to avoid corneal complications. Meanwhile, silicone hydrogel contact lenses surpass the oxygen requirements to avoid corneal complications even when the eye is closed.
Bausch + Lomb PureVision
Bausch + Lomb PureVision contact lenses provide excellent vision in an extremely comfortable package.
- Replacement schedule
- Wearing schedule
- Up to 30 days of continuous wear
- Material
- Balafilcon A (64% polymer)
- Water content
- 36% water
- Features
- Made with a unique AerGel material that enhances comfort and resists deposit buildup
- Allows a very high level of oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the eyes
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA
AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA contact lenses give you the freedom to create a flexible wearing schedule that fits your lifestyle.
- Replacement schedule
- Wearing schedule
- Up to 30 days of continuous wear
- Material
- Lotrafilcon A (76% polymer)
- Water content
- 24% water
- Features
- Allows the most oxygen to pass through the lens out of any available contact lens
- Most recommended brand for patients who sleep in their lenses
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS contact lenses are the contact lenses that most eye care professionals (ECPs) prescribe to new contact lens wearers.
- Replacement schedule
- One-to-two week disposable contact lenses
- (Note: Dispose of these contact lenses after six days if you’re using them for extended wear. Only keep them for two weeks if you’re using them for daily wear.)
- Wearing schedule
- Up to six days of continuous wear (dispose of after the sixth day)
- Material
- Senofilcon A (62% polymer)
- Water content
- 38% water
- Features
- Mimics the way your tear film works to provide maximum comfort even in challenging environments like dry and dusty rooms.
- Highest level of UV protection available in a contact lens
- Lenses per box
- 12 contact lenses per box
- 24 contact lenses per box
ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM with HYDRACLEAR PLUS
ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM contact lenses are designed for patients with astigmatism but still have an active lifestyle.
- Replacement schedule
- One-to-two week disposable contact lenses
- (Note: Dispose of these contact lenses after six days if you’re using them for extended wear. Only keep them for two weeks if you’re using them for daily wear.)
- Wearing schedule
- Up to six days of continuous wear (dispose of after the sixth day)
- Material
- Senofilcon A (62% polymer)
- Water content
- 38% water
- Features
- Hydraluxe Technology that stabilizes the tear film to prevent eye dryness
- Designed to keep the contact lens in the correct position regardless of what activity you engage in
- Lenses per box
- 6 contact lenses per box
Biofinity
Biofinity contact lenses are designed to deliver unmatched visual performance.
- Replacement schedule
- Monthly contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to 7 days of continuous wear
- Material
- Comfilcon A (52% polymer)
- Water content
- 48% water
- Features
- Aquaform Comfort Science allows for maximum oxygen breathability
- Aberration Neutralizing system minimizes optical imperfection in the eyes to enhance vision quality
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
Biofinity Toric
Biofinity Toric contact lenses are the most prescribed toric contact lenses.
- Replacement schedule
- Monthly contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to seven days of continuous wear
- Material
- Comfilcon A (52% polymer)
- Water content
- 48% water
- Features
- Aquaform Technology locks in water to provide all-day comfort
- Optimized Toric Lens Geometry to ensure correct fit at all times
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses provide clear vision and exceptional comfort all day.
- Replacement schedule
- Monthly contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to seven days of continuous wear
- Material
- Samfilcon A (54% polymer)
- Water content
- 46% water
- Features
- MoistureSeal technology allows the contact lens to retain 95% of its moisture for 16 hours
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
PureVision 2 HD
PureVision 2 HD contact lenses provide crystal clear vision without any compromises.
- Replacement schedule
- Monthly contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to 30 days of continuous wear
- Material
- Balafilcon A (64% polymer)
- Water content
- 36% water
- Features
- Thinner lens material that allows for higher levels of comfort
- Patented High-Definition Optics designed to reduce vision halos and glare
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
PureVision 2 Toric
PureVision 2 Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism and provide you with clear vision and reduced vision halos.
- Replacement schedule
- Monthly contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to 30 days of continuous wear
- Material
- Balafilcon A (64% polymer)
- Water content
- 36% water
- Features
- Designed to reduce spherical aberration on both the sphere and cylinder meridians of the contact lens
- Hybrid ballasting delivers visual stability and proper lens position throughout the day
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
Biomedics 38
Biomedics 38 contact lenses feature a patented design that ensures a proper fit and superior comfort.
- Replacement schedule
- One-to-two week disposable contact lenses
- Wearing schedule
- Up to seven days of continuous wear
- (Note: Your ECP must approve this wearing schedule before you try it.)
- Material
- Polymacon (62% polymer)
- Water content
- 38% water
- Features
- Visibly tinted to make them easier to find in the solution
- Manufactured using liquid edge molding to produce superior smoothness and a flawless lens finish
- Lenses per box
- Six contact lenses per box
Conclusion
If you’ve consulted your ECP and have received their approval to wear overnight contact lenses, then feel free to make the switch. Find all the best and most popular contact lenses that are FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear on Lens.com
