Tori Spelling, an actress, has brought to light the potential risks of sleeping with contact lenses. This came to her attention when she shared an image of herself sporting an eye patch on Instagram. She revealed that she had a corneal ulcer in her left eye and expressed optimism that it would take around 7 to 10 days to recover from the condition.
During an episode of her podcast, “90210MG,” with Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling delved deeper into her contact lens usage. It turns out Spelling’s habits in this regard are not exactly up to par, as she admitted to wearing them for extended periods beyond the recommended time frame.
In a humorous tone, Spelling joked that she had worn them for up to seven weeks, though she later clarified that she was exaggerating and that her typical duration was around 20 days.
Spelling typically uses daily contact lenses, designed to be worn for a single day and disposed of before bed. She disclosed that the corneal ulcer she developed could have been avoided entirely, blaming herself for the lapse in judgment. She admitted that it was a foolish mistake, stating that she was solely responsible for the situation.
Spelling was spotted wearing a bedazzled, pink eye patch during a launch event for Hidden Crown Hair, a company specializing in hair extensions curated by her friend and well-known hairstylist, Laura Rugetti. Spelling shared a snapshot of herself sporting the eye patch on her Instagram account.
Spelling says, “I use contact lenses, but I stick to the daily type. However, when the day ends, I sometimes fail to remove them. I sleep with them on, which is an unhealthy practice. One is expected to replace them regularly.” She shared this information with her co-star while discussing her eye condition.
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Have you slept in contacts?
Given that a considerable number of individuals, around one-third of the population, wear contact lenses, it is plausible that you may have also slept with them at some point, similar to Spelling’s experience.
Sleeping or napping with contact lenses, even if they are categorized as “extended wear,” can lead to severe complications. This could result in serious eye infections that may potentially cause blindness, affecting roughly 1 in every 500 people who wear contact lenses annually.
Statistics show that 40% to 90% of people fail to adhere to the appropriate guidelines for contact lens care. Therefore, we consulted with eye specialists to determine the proper times for removing contact lenses and the dos and don’ts of contact lens usage.
According to Arvind Saini, a clinical representative for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, sleeping with contact lenses can heighten the likelihood of developing an eye infection due to inadequate oxygen supply to the eyes, as stated to BuzzFeed News.
Tears typically cover the eyes’ surface, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach the outermost layer of the eyes effortlessly in the absence of contact lenses. “The tear layer coating the surface of the eyes is replenished each time you blink,” he added.
For most, wearing contact lenses for 14 to 16 hours in one go is generally safe. While awake, blinking helps keep the eyes hydrated, thus shielding the surface. Nevertheless, when the eyes are shut, moisture and oxygen are absent, which puts the eyes at risk.
The absence of tears and moisture heightens the likelihood of eye infections and severe dryness, inflammation, ulcers, and even vision loss.
Saini stated that when you sleep with contact lenses, you’re essentially keeping a bacteria-infested plastic on your cornea. This is a disastrous scenario because there is minimal tear exchange and oxygen available to safeguard the eyes’ surface.
Even though the latest contact lenses may claim to offer prolonged wear with better oxygen permeability and reduced dryness, there are still potential hazards related to sleeping while wearing them.
The makers of extended-wear contact lenses state that they can be worn continuously for a week or month (depending on the lens type), and you can even sleep with them. However, the professionals we consulted with advised removing them at night as a safer option.
Saini explained that wearing contact lenses can cause less damage to the outermost layer of your skin. However, your skin can still be affected by the stress caused by the contact lens, which may result in breaks in the protective barrier.
It is important to remove all types of contact lenses, whether they are daily, weekly, or meant for longer wear, at the end of the day or as recommended. If you are using daily lenses, you should dispose of them. For other types of lenses, you can reuse them the next day, but it is not recommended to sleep in them if possible.
A corneal ulcer, also known as keratitis, is a painful open wound that appears on the cornea, the clear dome-shaped surface that protects the iris and pupil of the eye. The ulceration may or may not be visible to the naked eye and may present as a white spot. It is typically triggered by either a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection or a physical eye injury.
The common symptoms associated with corneal ulcers include intense eye pain, blurred vision, and photophobia, a discomfort experienced in bright light. These symptoms can be debilitating and may require immediate medical attention to prevent further damage to the cornea and the vision.
In the podcast, Spelling mentioned that people had asked her if she had pink eye. It’s worth noting that while both pink eye and a corneal ulcer can cause red and watery eyes, the latter affects the eye’s surface and has the potential to damage vision if left untreated.
To remedy a corneal ulcer, doctors usually administer antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops and apply a protective eye patch to the affected area.
Avoiding sleeping in your contact lenses can lower the likelihood of contracting an infection by 60 to 70%.
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“Contact Lenses: Dos and Don’ts”
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Do’s:
Robert C. Layman, former President of the American Optometric Association, emphasized the preventability of contact lens-related eye infections and injuries that can cause enduring harm. He mentioned that many careless oversights, such as not following the doctor’s directions for cleaning and storing lenses, contribute to such incidents.
- Always wash your hands before and after handling contact lenses to prevent the spread of bacteria and infections.
- Clean and disinfect your contact lenses as directed by your optometrist to avoid eye irritation and infections.
- Replace your contact lenses as your optometrist recommends to ensure optimal eye health and vision.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming or showering to prevent waterborne infections.
- Take out your contact lenses if your eyes become red, itchy, or irritated, and contact your optometrist for further advice.
- Follow the instructions on the packaging of your contact lenses precisely to ensure proper use and care of your lenses.
Dont’s
Layman stated that if the contact lenses you are using are not approved for continuous overnight use, you may be exposing yourself to the risk of eye and vision damage. Even if your contact lenses are approved for overnight use, they can still deprive your eyes of oxygen, so it is important to take them out regularly to give your eyes a break and allow them to breathe.
Do your best not to:
- Do not wear your contact lenses for more than 14 to 16 hours.
- Do not wear 30-day, daily, or any type of contact lenses overnight.
- Do not continue to wear your contact lenses daily in a way that is not recommended.
- Do not store or clean your contact lenses in tap water. Tap water is not sterile and contains microorganisms that can adhere to your lenses and cause eye infections.
- Do not reuse contact lens saline solution. Saline solution is a sterile solution that is meant to be used only once to clean or store your contact lenses.
Final Thoughts
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According to Saini, it is generally not recommended to have bacteria in close contact with the surface of the eye, especially if there are any open wounds or breaks in the skin. Microorganisms can easily grow and multiply on contact lenses, which can lead to eye infections. The outer layer of the eye acts as a barrier, much like our skin, to protect the deeper layers of the cornea from infections. Therefore, it is important to take proper precautions when using contact lenses to prevent any potential infections.
