New research suggests many contact lens wearers may unknowingly be putting their sight at risk.
A survey of 300 UK contact lens wearers, commissioned by eye clinic Oculase, found that 88% had slept in their lenses.
16% admitted doing so regularly, while over 70% had occasionally fallen asleep without removing them.
“Sleeping in contact lenses reduces oxygen to your cornea, leaving the surface stressed, slightly swollen and more fragile,” Oculase founder Tariq Ayoub explained to That's Health.
“Without blinking, tears don’t refresh, so debris and microbes get trapped against the eye.”
This increases the risk of microbial keratitis, a potentially sight-threatening infection of the cornea.
However, sleeping in lenses was not the only concerning habit identified. The survey found 79% of respondents had worn contact lenses in the shower, 61% had worn them while swimming or using a hot tub, and 53% had rinsed lenses or storage cases with tap water.
Water can contain organisms that should never become trapped between a contact lens and the eye. Worryingly over 80% of those surveyed had never heard of acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious infection particularly associated with exposing contact lenses to water.
The study also uncovered widespread discomfort. Over half of respondents reported dryness, redness or irritation, while 67% had stopped wearing their lenses at some point because of discomfort or an eye problem.
Contact lens wearer Andy, 46, discovered the risks after waking with a painful, red eye. An ophthalmologist subsequently confirmed that he had developed a contact lens infection.
There also appears to be confusion about the relative risks of contact lenses and laser eye surgery. Only 41% thought contact lenses carried the greater risk of serious infection.
However, the risks are not directly comparable: contact lenses present a small but continuing risk when worn, while laser treatment is a medical procedure carrying its own short- and long-term considerations. Anyone contemplating surgery should seek independent clinical advice.
Most contact lens complications can be prevented. Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses, keep them away from tap water, never swim or shower in them, and replace them according to the manufacturer’s or optometrist’s instructions.
Unless specifically prescribed for overnight use, remove lenses before sleeping. Even extended-wear lenses are not risk-free.
If you develop persistent redness, pain, blurred vision, discharge or unusual sensitivity to light, remove your lenses and seek urgent professional advice. When it comes to eye infections, prompt treatment could help protect your sight.
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