An optician is warning people who fall asleep with their contact lenses still in to 'wait' when they wake up. Contact lens optician Tina Patel from Feel Good Contacts says if you wake with your contacts in, wait before you remove them. She accepts that "sleeping in contact lenses is a common mistake". Unless you have contacts specifically designed for overnight wear, sleeping in contacts is a big no-no as it increases the risk of issues like dry, gritty eyes, corneal abrasions, or even infections such as conjunctivitis.
The expert warned: "Wait five to ten minutes after waking to let your eyes rehydrate naturally, then use lubricating eye drops to make removing the lenses easier. In cases where this happens frequently, like after naps or nights out, you may want to speak to your optician about switching to extended wear lenses designed for overnight use. However, removing your lenses before sleeping is always the best option to keep your eyes healthy and protected.".
Another issues many people face is whether or not they are putting their lens in the correct way. The optician says that "one simple test is to see if the lens resembles a saucepan with flared edges; if it does, it’s inside out and needs flipping. Some lenses include numbers or markings on the rim. If these appear reversed, this is another sign that the lens is the wrong way around.
