Imagine opening your eyes in the morning and seeing everything clearly no glasses on your nightstand, no fumbling with contacts. Sounds like a dream, right? But is it a safe reality? The term “overnight contact lenses” sparks interest for that very reason. Can you really wear lenses while you sleep and wake up to crystal-clear vision?
The answer is nuanced. While most lenses should never be worn overnight, there are specific types that are designed and FDA-approved for this purpose. But make no mistake slipping into bed with regular lenses is not only unsafe, it can seriously harm your eyes.
In this post, we will break down the safe, approved options for overnight wear and call out the very real dangers of misusing standard lenses.
The Critical Warning: Why You MUST NOT Sleep in Regular Contact Lenses
Let’s get one thing clear most contact lenses are not made for overnight use.
Yet the temptation to take a nap or fall asleep with your lenses still in is all too common. Unfortunately, the consequences are far from harmless.
What Happens If You Leave Contact Lenses In Overnight?
Wearing lenses not approved for sleep raises your risk of several serious eye problems
- Bacterial and fungal infections that can damage vision.
- Acanthamoeba keratitis which is rare but can permanently harm your eyesight.
- Corneal hypoxia, where oxygen deprivation causes swelling and discomfort.
- Corneal ulcers and scratches can lead to lasting damage.
- Persistent dryness and irritation that affect everyday comfort.
Can You Keep Contact Lenses in Water Overnight?
Absolutely not. Tap water, even filtered, contains microbes that can cling to your lenses and infect your eyes. One particularly dangerous culprit is Acanthamoeba, which can cause permanent vision loss. Never store contacts in water.
If your contacts are not explicitly prescribed for overnight use, take them out before sleep.
Type 1: Extended Wear Contact Lenses – Continuous Vision Made Possible
Extended wear lenses are the first approved type of overnight contact lenses. These are soft lenses made of silicone hydrogel, a material that allows much more oxygen to reach the cornea, even while your eyes are closed.
How Do They Work?
Their ultra-breathable design makes them safe for continuous wear, up to 30 days and nights, depending on the brand and your eye doctor’s recommendation.
Are Extended-Wear Contact Lenses Safe to Wear Overnight?
Yes, but only under medical supervision. Your optometrist will determine if you are a suitable candidate and may require follow-up visits to monitor for potential complications.
Popular Extended Wear Brands
Benefits of Extended Wear Lenses
- Enjoy immediate, clear vision the moment you open your eyes, without the need to reach for glasses or insert contacts. This is ideal for early mornings or sudden awakenings.
- Perfect for busy lifestyles, shift workers, or frequent travelers, these lenses eliminate the daily routine of insertion, removal, cleaning, and storage. You don’t have to worry about solutions or cases on the go.
- Skip the daily steps of contact lens care, freeing up valuable time in your morning and evening routines.
Considerations and Risks
- Wearing any lens continuously, even highly breathable extended wear ones, carries a slightly higher risk of eye infection compared to daily disposables. This is due to the prolonged presence of the lens on the eye.
- They may not be suitable if you suffer from dry eyes or tend to accumulate deposits on your lenses quickly. These conditions can lead to discomfort or further increase infection risk.
- You must strictly follow your eye doctor‘s prescribed wearing schedule (e.g., 7 days/6 nights, 30 days/29 nights). Exceeding this time significantly increases health risks.
- Frequent follow-up visits with your optometrist are vital to monitor your eye health and ensure the lenses remain safe and suitable for your eyes.
What Do Extended-Wear Contact Lenses Cost?
You can expect to pay more than for daily lenses, but you save on cleaning solutions and cases. Think of it as a convenience investment, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle.
Type 2: Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) – Reshape Vision While You Sleep
Enter Ortho-K, the second major category of overnight lenses. These are not soft lenses—they are rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, custom-made for your eyes.
What Are Ortho-K Lenses?
You wear them while you sleep. As you rest, the lens gently reshapes the curvature of your cornea. When you wake up, you remove the lens and enjoy clear vision all day—no glasses or contacts needed.
Do Overnight Contact Lenses Like Ortho-K Really Work?
Yes, Ortho-K lenses are highly effective when worn as prescribed. They work by gently reshaping the cornea overnight, allowing you to enjoy clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contacts. However, the results are temporary, so consistent nightly wear is essential to maintain visual clarity.
Benefits of Ortho-K
- Daytime freedom from glasses or contacts, ideal for athletes, swimmers, and professionals.
- Drug-free myopia control that can help slow nearsightedness progression in kids and teens.
- A non-surgical LASIK alternative, great for those who want vision correction without permanent commitment.
Risks and Limitations
- Requires a highly skilled optometrist for proper fitting, as these are custom-made lenses.
- Needs consistent nightly use to maintain the clear vision achieved during the day.
- Strict hygiene is critical to prevent complications, as with any contact lens.
- Not suitable for everyone; a thorough consultation with your eye doctor is always required to determine if you are a good candidate.
What Does Ortho-K Cost?
The upfront cost includes custom fittings and lens creation, but it removes the need for daily lenses or solutions. Many parents see it as a long-term investment for their child’s vision health.
Overnight Colored Contacts
Colored contact lenses are rarely approved for overnight wear due to their material and low oxygen transmission. They are meant for daytime cosmetic use only—never sleep in them.
Can You Get Overnight Contacts?
Yes, but only through a certified optometrist. These specialized lenses are medical devices, and proper assessment is crucial for your eye health and vision safety.
To determine if overnight contact lenses are right for you, you will need a thorough eye exam. Your optometrist will carefully assess the following factors.
- Your current prescription
- Your corneal shape and overall eye health
- Your dry eye status and tear film quality
- Your lifestyle, daily activities, and willingness to follow strict care routines
- Any individual risk factors
Whether considering Extended Wear or Ortho-K, professional guidance is essential.
Conclusion: Your Eyes Deserve the Right Kind of Overnight Lens
There is a safe way to wake up with perfect vision—but it requires the right type of lens and expert supervision.
Never sleep in standard lenses. Doing so can endanger your sight.
But if you are intrigued by the idea of hassle-free mornings and clearer days, Extended Wear or Ortho-K lenses might be for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sleep in extended wear contact lenses every night?
You may sleep in extended wear contact lenses every night only if specifically prescribed by your eye care provider. Even for FDA-approved extended wear lenses, consistent routine checks and monitoring are necessary. This professional oversight helps to prevent potential complications and ensure your continued ocular health.
Are Ortho-K lenses painful?
No, Ortho-K lenses are generally not considered painful during wear. While some users may experience a brief adjustment period when initially adapting to the lenses, most individuals report finding them quite comfortable after just a few nights of use. They are designed to be worn during sleep, when the eyelids are closed, and provide cushioning.
Do overnight lenses fix astigmatism?
Some advanced Ortho-K lens designs are indeed capable of temporarily correcting mild astigmatism, alongside their primary function of correcting nearsightedness. Additionally, for individuals considering extended wear soft lenses, toric versions are available, which are specifically designed to correct astigmatism while providing continuous vision. Your optometrist can determine the best option for your specific needs.
Can children use Ortho-K lenses?
Yes, children are excellent candidates for Ortho-K lenses, and their use is widely supported for pediatric vision care. Ortho-K is recognized as one of the most effective and popular myopia control strategies for growing children and teenagers. However, successful use does require consistent parental support to ensure proper hygiene and adherence to the wearing schedule.
How long do Ortho-K results last?
Typically, the vision correction achieved with Ortho-K lenses from one night of wear provides clear vision for a full and active day. The reshaping effect on the cornea is temporary, meaning consistency in nightly wear is key to maintaining optimal and stable results each day. Skipping nights will cause vision to regress.
