Should you take your contacts out before going to sleep?
It can sometimes be a pain (especially when you have had a long day and you just want to get into bed), but it is actually quite important for the health of your eyes that you take out your contacts before going to sleep, and it is important to do this each and every night.
When your eyes are closed all night, they get less exposure to the oxygen and moisture that helps to clean bacteria off of eyes throughout the day. At night, the bacteria has a chance to build up on your eyes, and having your contacts in only makes this worse. It can irritate the eyes and can even lead to an eye infection. Even if you have been prescribed contacts that are approved for overnight use, it is still a good idea to take them out at bedtime.
If you accidentally sleep in your contacts one night – which everyone has done a time or two! – take them out as soon as you wake up. Leave them out for the day and watch for any signs of infection, such as red, irritated eyes, excessive watering, discharge, or blurred vision. If you think you might have an infection, you should call your doctor right away. Untreated infections can cause damage to your eyes and eventually can even cause blindness.
Taking out contacts every night can be annoying – it’s just one more thing to do before you get to finally relax, call it a day, and go to sleep. However, it is worth it to take a few minutes to remove them (and thoroughly clean them, of course!). Take good care of your eyes every day, and don’t forget to schedule your annual eye exam at North Suburban Eye Associates in Massachusetts! Call (781) 245-5200 today!