Sleeping or Showering with Contacts How Risky Is It?

If you've ever dozed off or stepped into the shower with your contact lenses still in, you're not alone. According to a 2014 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 99 percent of contact lens wearers admit to engaging in at least one risky habit, like sleeping or showering with their lenses in. While it may feel harmless in the moment, these habits can lead to significant consequences for your eye health.

What Happens When You Keep Your Contacts In

Wearing contacts 24/7 even while sleeping or showering can have mild to severe consequences. Here are three potential risks:

1. Discomfort and Dryness

If you've ever woken up after sleeping in your contacts, you’re familiar with that dry, scratchy sensation. Sleeping with lenses reduces tear production, leaving your eyes parched.

"Your eyes don't get as much oxygen when you sleep with contacts in," says Scott Drexler, OD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This lack of moisture and oxygen can irritate your eyes and make them feel red or itchy, though symptoms typically resolve once you remove the lenses.

2. Blurred Vision

Extended wear of contacts can deprive your cornea of oxygen, leading to a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia causes the cornea to swell, which may result in hazy or blurry vision. Left unchecked, this lack of oxygen can cause cell damage, further compromising your eye health, explains Andrew D. Pucker, OD, PhD, associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

3. Infections and Ulcers

Sleeping or showering in contacts dramatically increases your risk of eye infections, including keratitis an infection of the cornea. According to the CDC, sleeping with contacts ups your infection risk by 6 to 8 times.

"Contacts can trap bacteria, fungi, or amoebas against the eye, especially when exposed to water in the shower," says Dr. Pucker. One of the most concerning infections is acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious condition caused by waterborne amoebas. This infection is resistant to treatment and can result in vision loss or even blindness.

Mistakes happen, and if you find yourself accidentally snoozing or showering with contacts, here’s how to minimize damage:

1. Rehydrate Your Lenses
   Start by adding lubricating eye drops to your eyes to rehydrate your lenses and relieve dryness. Let the drops settle for a few minutes before attempting to remove the contacts.

2. Remove and Clean Them
   Take out the lenses carefully to avoid scratching your cornea. Toss daily lenses or properly clean reusable ones using fresh contact solution (never water).

3. Monitor Your Symptoms
   If your eyes feel irritated, look red, or your vision becomes blurry, call your eye doctor immediately. These could be early signs of infection or damage.

Showering while wearing contact lenses exposes your eyes to bacteria, fungi, and amoebas found in water. Tap water, in particular, can harbor harmful microorganisms, such as acanthamoeba.

When water hits your lenses, it can cause them to swell or stick to your cornea, creating tiny abrasions that allow microbes to enter. "This environment is perfect for infections to develop," says Dr. Drexler.

Preventative Tips for Healthy Contact Lens Use

To avoid the risks associated with sleeping or showering in your lenses, follow these expert-approved contact lens care tips:

• Wash Your Hands: Always clean your hands with soap and water before handling your contacts.

• Use Contact Solution: Clean and store your lenses in fresh solution. Never rinse them with water or saliva, as both can introduce bacteria.

• Replace Lenses on Schedule: Stick to the replacement schedule prescribed for your lenses (daily, bi-weekly, or monthly).

• Keep Your Case Clean: Replace your lens case every three months and clean it regularly with fresh solution. Let it air dry between uses.

• Remove Lenses Before Sleep or Showering: Even if you're using FDA-approved lenses for overnight wear, it's safest to remove them before bed.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Never Take Out Your Contacts?

It’s not worth the risk.

Although most people won’t develop a serious infection, the potential consequences like corneal ulcers, vision loss, or even needing a corneal transplant are too significant to ignore.

"Even if you’ve gotten away with these habits for years, it only takes one incident to cause permanent damage," says Brian Boxer Wachler, MD, an ophthalmologist and founder of the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute.

To protect your eye health, make a habit of removing your contacts before sleeping or showering, and follow proper cleaning protocols. Your eyes will thank you for it. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.