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Can you sleep with contact lenses in?

Do not wear contact lenses for at least one full day to allow your eyes to heal. Contact your eye care provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of infection or discomfort.

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Photo by Andy BELLEGARDE from Unsplash.com

Contact lenses are wonderful because they provide a near-normal vision experience without corrective glasses. But they can be easily forgotten. When preparing to sleep, even for a nap, is not the time to forget about them.

To help contact lens wearers understand the implications of sleeping in their lenses, Lens.com published an informative guide.

Can you sleep in contact lenses?

Did you know that sleeping with regular contact lenses can result in severe infection and put you at risk for vision loss? Some contact lenses, like extended wear contacts, are meant to be worn overnight. However, many are not. You can only sleep in contact lenses designed for overnight wear, such as Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus, which is approved for up to six consecutive nights of wear. 

Contact lenses are medical devices that require proper care and handling to avoid severe side effects. Yet, as little as two percent of contact lens wearers report following their eye care provider’s instructions.

What happens if you sleep with contacts lenses in?

It’s important to know the implications of sleeping in contact lenses not designed for extended wear or if they are left in too long.

  • Eye Infections. Eye infections are the most significant risk of sleeping in contact lenses not approved for extended wear. When you sleep in your contact lenses, your risk of contracting eye infections increases six to eight times. The most common infection is called conjunctivitis or pink eye. This common eye infection is mainly caused by wearing contact lenses overnight, but it can also be caused by allergies or coming into contact with someone who has it. Sleeping with your contact lenses makes you more susceptible to pink eye because your contact lenses can leave microscopic tears on your cornea, thus increasing your odds of bacteria entering and getting trapped in your eye and leading to infection.
  • Hypoxia. Oxygen is essential for the healthy function of your eyes. There are no blood vessels in your corneas (the clear tissue at the front and center of your eye), which means they get their oxygen directly from the air. Contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea. Now imagine sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes. With our eyes shut and contact lenses, the amount of oxygen is greatly restricted and can lead to hypoxia of the eye. This extreme oxygen deprivation can cause warping, scarring, pain, and vision loss.
  • Corneal Ulcers. If your contact lenses are not taken out and cared for properly, you may cause so much irritation that you cause corneal ulcers, or open sores on the cornea, to form. These ulcers can even become so severe that they require a corneal transplant using donor tissue. Those who sleep with contact lenses not approved for extended wear are five times more likely to develop corneal infections, permanently damaging their vision.
  • Contact Lens-induced Acute Red Eye (CLARE). Tight Lens Syndrome or Contact Lens Overwear Syndrome is usually marked by light sensitivity, redness, tearing, and decreased vision. When a contact lens fits too tightly, it will stick to the cornea like a suction cup, and this will cause the cornea to swell. If not treated, You could be at risk for a severe infection that can cause a corneal ulcer leading to permanent scarring and vision loss. Contact lenses are like tiny sponges; they expand when they are moist and shrink when they dry out.
  • Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC). Wearing your contact lenses for prolonged periods or overnight can cause bumps to form underneath your eyelids called GPCs. If you wear your contacts while you sleep, you have the greatest chance of experiencing this unpleasant condition. These bumps can result in your contact lenses no longer fitting properly. If this happens, your eye care provider may ask you to stop wearing your contact lenses for a week and see if your symptoms subside.

Why does sleeping with contact lenses increase your risk of an eye infection?

After wearing your lenses all day long, napping or falling asleep means your lenses have collected pollutants, bacteria, and dirt that could increase your risk of complications. As your eye and contact lens becomes dehydrated in your sleep, the lens starts to shrink and tear at your cornea, and these microscopic tears allow an entry point for bacteria to get into your eye. Sleeping in contact lenses increases your chance of getting an eye infection six to eight times.

What to do if you accidentally sleep with contact lenses in?

Attempt to remove your contact lenses as soon as you’ve discovered that you’ve fallen asleep with them in your eyes. Make sure you follow your standard hygiene practices. If you cannot remove them easily, stop! Tugging at a dehydrated lens attached to your eye can cause tearing. Instead, place several drops of sterile contact solution on your eyes or lubricating drops. Blink several times. And try again.

After successfully removing your contact lenses, pay attention to how your eyes feel. Do not wear contact lenses for at least one full day to allow your eyes to heal. Contact your eye care provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of infection or discomfort. The signs of an eye infection are blurred vision, redness, excessive watering, and discharge from the eye. If you think you have an eye infection, your eye doctor may want to test your contact lenses, so be sure to take those with you when you visit.

Always practice safe habits following the guidelines your eye care professional provided and check with them whenever you’re in doubt.

If you are guilty of sleeping or taking naps in your contact lenses, it’s time to change your eye care routine. You may want to consider taking out your contact lenses after dinner and switching to eyeglasses so you don’t forget them before bedtime. If you are a fan of naps or have an unpredictable schedule, visit your eye care provider and ask if extended-wear contact lenses are for you. You can browse all the contact lenses you sleep in at Lens.com.

Why are some contact lenses FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear while others aren’t?

The simplest reason why not all contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear is that contact lens manufacturers have to apply for FDA approval. Applying for FDA approval is a lengthy process that requires submitting studies and research documents and passing clinical trials. If a manufacturer wants FDA approval, they’d have to spend considerable time and resources.

Another reason is that contact lenses designed for overnight wear are made of thinner material compared to daily wear contact lenses.

Many contact lens brands that are FDA-approved for overnight wear are made with silicone hydrogel, which is significantly more breathable than standard hydrogel. Silicone hydrogel allows for much better oxygen transmissibility, which is essential when wearing contact lenses for extended periods.

Which contact lenses can you sleep in?

You can only sleep in contact lenses that are designed for overnight wear. Popular contact lenses rated for overnight usage include:

  • Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus can be worn daily for two weeks or continuously for up to six nights and seven days, after which they must be removed, disposed of, and replaced with a new pair of lenses. These contact lenses feature Acuvue’s innovative Hydraclear Plus. Inspired by how the eye’s tear film works, this wetting agent keeps the contacts wet and smooth for all-day comfort. These contacts block more than 99 percent of UVB and 95 percent of UVA rays – some of the highest levels you’ll find on the market today.
  • AirOptix plus HydraGlyde combines two unique technologies into one lens: SmartShield Technology and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology. SmartShield Technology creates an ultra-thin protective layer to help shield your lenses from deposits and provides long-lasting comfort. HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, on the other hand, attracts and maintains surface moisture on the lens for up to 16 hours. SmartShield Technology and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology make Air Optix plus HydraGlyde very comfortable.
  • Biofinity contact lenses bring a remarkable balance of comfort and breathability in a monthly disposable lens. They are FDA-approved for extended wear, meaning they can be worn continuously for up to six nights and seven days before they need to be replaced. These contacts feature CooperVision’s patented Aquaform® Technology, which locks in water so you can enjoy all-day comfort. They also have smooth, rounded edges, enhancing comfort by minimizing interaction between your contact lenses and eyelids.
  • PureVision 2 HD contact lenses are another popular brand rated for night and day wear. Featuring Bausch + Lomb’s innovative High Definition™ Optics, these contact lenses help you see enhanced contrast, sharper details, and reduced glare, even in low light conditions. They reduce halos and give a crisp, clear vision while using digital devices or in low-light conditions. They’re made of a silicone hydrogel lens material that allows plenty of oxygen to reach your eyes, which they need to stay white and healthy.

Curious to see all the contact lenses you can sleep inVisit Lens.com to learn more.

The lenses above have been approved by the FDA for use while asleep. If you already wear these contact lenses, ask your eye care provider before using contacts during sleep. Each individual’s eye health is different and your eye care provider needs to evaluate the overall health of your eye before approving overnight use.

Can you nap while wearing contact lenses?

Generally, no, you should not nap or sleep with contact lenses. This applies to all contact lens brands and types, unless specified. Falling asleep with your contact lenses could lead to infection and irritation. While modern soft contact lenses have incredible technology to ensure enough oxygen passes through the lenses in daily wear, having your eyes closed while you sleep reduces available oxygen and prevents tears from washing your eye under the contact lenses. This can potentially cause problems to your eyes through hypoxia of the eyes unless you use specific lenses designed for extended wear, as directed by your eye care professional.

Everyone faces different challenges when getting through each day, but some days are occasionally a tad more exhausting than others. Whether you are a new parent, finishing up work for a deadline, studying for an important exam, or going through health issues that keep you lethargic all day long, there’s one thing we can all agree on, and that is a nap. Studies have shown that naps boost productivity by improving alertness, performance, and mood.

Rather than avoid taking naps, consider talking to your doctor about changing your prescription to an extended-wear contact lens.

What if I fall asleep with the contact lenses for just 10 minutes?

The duration does make a difference, but it is not the only factor to consider. In general, the more time spent sleeping in contact lenses, the greater the risk that you will develop symptoms of infection or inflammation and suffer from the more severe consequences. For example, if you sometimes fall asleep during your work transit or take naps between 10 and 40 minutes long, you are likely not exposing yourself to any long-term health-related risks. You might, however, still experience blurred vision and dry eyes for a short period. If you’re asleep for an extended period of one or more hours, then your contact lenses can dry up in your eyes, which can lead to discomfort or a scratching sensation in your eyes when you open them.

The type of contact lenses you wear matters, too. Silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to the cornea, so your eyes won’t get sore. On the other hand, hydrogel lenses might cause some redness, irritation, and burning when you wake up– which could even damage your cornea. With shorter naps, these issues are less likely to occur.

The state your eyes are in before falling asleep also matters. If you have been using your contacts only for a few hours before going to bed, then there is a lower risk of your eyes getting irritated than if you have been wearing them all day. This is because contact lenses accumulate dirt and dust, such as when worn for extended periods or throughout the day. However, if you fall asleep with your contacts in the evening and stay in your eyes all night, this is more problematic.

How do you wear contact lenses safely?

Your eye health is just too important to take a chance. Consider speaking with your eye care professional about switching to contact lenses approved for extended wear when in doubt.

If you’ve accidentally slept in your contact lenses for brief periods or rarely, here are tips to help:

  • Attempt to remove your contact lenses as soon as you realize you’ve slept in them. But do not sidestep your regular hygiene process, such as washing your hands.
  • Always have a backup plan. Carry a spare set of lenses or a pair of eyeglasses. It’s also a good idea to keep contact solution or eye drops in your purse, backpack, or office.
  • If you’ve fallen asleep on an overnight trip and realize you didn’t bring your contact lenses or cleaning supplies, find a pharmacy as soon as possible so that you can remove and clean your lenses. At the very least, put in eye drops so your lens can rehydrate and reduce the pressure on your cornea, and it is imperative to remove your lens as soon as possible.
  • Never put your contact lenses in your mouth to moisten or clean them. Saliva is not sterile and will increase the risk of an eye infection.
  • Before wearing your contact lenses again, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and inspect them for small tears or other imperfections. If you notice any irregularities, throw them away. And start with a fresh pair. It’s always a good idea to go at least one day without contact lenses if you’ve slept in them; this will give your eyes a chance to recover.
  • If you experience any symptoms of an eye infection or discomfort, seek care from your eye care professional.

Always practice safe habits and check with your eye care professional whenever you doubt.

NewsMakers

All work and no play will really make a dull life – research

‘Achievement’ and ‘conformity’ values had no impact on happiness whatsoever. However, the researchers believe achievement could impact on happiness when linked to job satisfaction or the amount of days worked.

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A study across three countries led by the Department of Psychology’s Dr Paul Hanel discovered people who prioritised achievement over enjoyment were less happy on the next day. Whereas those who aimed for freedom said they had a 13% increase in well-being, recording better sleep quality and life satisfaction. And participants who tried to relax and follow their hobbies recorded an average well-being boost of 8% and a 10% drop in stress and anxiety.

Dr Hanel worked with colleagues at the University of Bath on the Journal of Personality-published study. For the first time, it explored how following various values impacts our happiness.

Dr Hanel said: “We all know the old saying ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ and this study shows it might actually be true. There is no benefit to well-being in prioritising achievement over fun and autonomy. This research shows that there are real benefits to having a balanced life and taking time to focus on enjoying ourselves and following individual goals. Ironically by doing this, people could in fact be more successful as they will be more relaxed, happier and satisfied.”

The study –Value Fulfilment and Well-being: Clarifying Directions Over Time – examined more than 180 people in India, Turkey and the UK. They filled in a diary across nine days and recorded how following different values affected them.

Interestingly all nationalities reported the same results with the following of ‘hedonism’ and ‘self-direction’ values leading to increased happiness. ‘Achievement’ and ‘conformity’ values had no impact on happiness whatsoever. However, the researchers believe achievement could impact on happiness when linked to job satisfaction or the amount of days worked.

Professor Greg Maio, University of Bath, said: “This multination project was an exciting foray into questions about how values affect well-being in day-to-day life. People often spend most of their days working hard for their daily income, studies, and careers. Against this backdrop, where achievement-oriented values have ring-fenced a great portion of our time, we found that it helps to value freedom and other values just enough to bring in balance and recovery.”

In the future, it will be interesting to consider how this pattern interacts with relevant traits, such as conscientiousness, and situational contexts, such as type of employment, Maio added.

It is hoped the research will now influence mental health provision and influence therapeutic give to clients.

Dr Hanel added: “Our research further shows that it might be more important to focus on increasing happiness rather than reducing anxiety and stress, which is of course also important, just not as much.”

The study was published in collaboration with Hamdullah Tunç, Divija Bhasin, and Dr Lukas Litzellachner.

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Why breast cancer survivors don’t take their medication, and what can be done

For roughly 80% of breast cancer survivors, treatment doesn’t end with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Instead, for the next five to 10 years, doctors recommend that they take medication to block sex hormones, which can fuel tumor growth and spark recurrence.

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For roughly 80% of breast cancer survivors, treatment doesn’t end with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Instead, for the next five to 10 years, doctors recommend that they take medication to block sex hormones, which can fuel tumor growth and spark recurrence.

The drugs are life-saving: They’ve been shown to cut risk of cancer recurrence by as much as half in patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors (HR+)—the most common form of breast cancer. Yet despite their promised benefits, 40% of patients stop taking them early and a third take them less frequently than directed.

New CU Boulder research, published this month in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, sheds light on why that is and what doctors and the health care system can do about it.

It found that, overall, interventions can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times. But some strategies work better than others.

“Our bottom-line finding is that there are strategies that do work in supporting women to take these life-extending medications, and that we as a cancer care community need to do better,” said senior author Joanna Arch, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and member of the CU Cancer Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Arch noted these so-called “adjuvant endocrine therapies,” like the estrogen-blockers Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, can be costly and come with a host of side effects, including weight gain, sexual side effects, joint pain, depression and sleeplessness.

“Imagine going from your normal estrogen activity to little or no estrogen within days. That’s what these medications do,” she said. “But the women who take them as prescribed also have lower recurrence rates and live longer. It’s a dilemma.”

As more next-generation cancer drugs, including chemotherapy agents, shift from infusions provided in a clinic to oral therapies taken at home, the medical community has grown increasingly interested in developing ways to make sure patients take their pills.

In a sweeping meta-analysis, Arch and her colleagues analyzed 25 studies representing about 368,000 women to gain insight into what works and what doesn’t. 

Educational pamphlets are not enough 

The study found that cost-cutting policy changes, such as providing generic alternatives or requiring insurance companies to cover pills at the same level as infusions, consistently worked. Such “oral parity laws” have been passed in 43 states in recent years.

In one study, participants were asked to create stickers to put on their pill boxes.

Mobile apps and texts to remind patients to take their medication and psychological/coping strategies also yielded modest improvements.

The study’s findings around managing side effects were complicated: Simply educating women on side effects, via pamphlets or verbal explanations, generally failed to increase the likelihood that women took their medication as directed.

But things such as physical therapy, exercise and behavioral counseling aimed at alleviating or managing side effects often worked.

“Education in and of itself is not enough. That is a clear finding,” said Arch, suggesting that doctors write referrals to practitioners who specialize in side effects and follow up with appointment reminders. “Most oncologists, I believe, don’t realize how low adherence is for these women. They assume that if they write the prescription, it’s being taken.”

Addressing mental health is key

One study included in the meta-analysis was Arch’s own.

In it, women were asked to identify their primary motivation for taking their medication—whether it was living to see their child or grandchild grow up, pursuing their art or running a marathon someday. Via an online program, they created a sticker with a photo representing that goal, and the words “I take this for…” below it. Then, they stuck it on their pill box.

Participants were more likely to take their pills, at least for the first month, than those who didn’t.

“Even just a tiny thing like this can help,” said Arch.

Notably, very few studies looked at whether treating depression can help. Arch, aiming to fill this gap, recently launched her own pilot trial.

“One of the most consistent predictors of not adhering to any medication is depression,” she said. “Depression taps motivation.”

The new Journal of Clinical Oncology study is the first meta-analysis to show that interventions can be helpful, and that’s important, said Arch, because insurance companies need data to make decisions about what to cover.

But the study also showed that the effects are relatively modest and that there is room for improvement.

Arch said she hopes the study will spark more research into novel ways to support survivors:

“We have a lot of work to do.”

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Children with higher BMI at increased risk of developing depression

Associations between a higher BMI and depression were weaker between ages 16 and 21 indicating ages 12-16 is a sensitive point where preventative methods could be beneficial.

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Children between ages 12 and 16 with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at an increased risk of developing depression symptoms, new research has found.

Associations between a higher BMI and depression were weaker between ages 16 and 21 indicating ages 12-16 is a sensitive point where preventative methods could be beneficial.

The study, published in Psychological Medicine by researchers from King’s College London, analysed data from more than 10,000 twins in the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) and UK Adult Twin Registry (TwinsUK).

In the TEDS depressive symptoms, such as low mood, loneliness and exhaustion, were self-reported in twins born between 1994 and 1996. Researchers looked at the relationship between BMI and depression at ages 12, 16 and 21.

They found that children between ages 12-16 with a higher BMI were at an increased risk of developing depression than between ages 16-21. Researchers also found that there was a stronger association for children with a higher BMI at an early age to develop depression at a later age, than children with depression first to have a higher BMI later in childhood.  

First author Dr Ellen Thompson, from King’s College London, said: “Understanding the relationship between mental ill-health and weight in adolescence is vital to provide timely support where needed. This study shows a stronger association between having a higher BMI at age 12 years and subsequent depression symptoms at age 16 years than the reverse.”

Using data from TEDS, the study also shows that the covariation between BMI and depression within each age was mostly explained by environmental factors.

Dr Thompson added: “This indicates that this relationship is environmentally mediated and could be due to several factors that adolescents may experience. Our study did not ask questions around the reasons why this effect was seen, but previous research has suggested body dissatisfaction and weight related stigma from external sources could be a factor. This study identifies a crucial point where intervention might be beneficial.”

Previous research found poverty may be a risk factor, however this study adjusted for socio-economic status and found the relationship between depression symptoms and weight to be unaffected.

This means that ages 12-16 is a sensitive and potentially detrimental time for young children and preventative measures would be beneficial. Support structures and positive body image messages could be taught in PHSE to counteract depressive symptoms.    

Co-senior author Professor Thalia Eley, Professor of Developmental Behavioural Genetics from King’s College London, said: “Our findings suggest that the experience of having higher BMI is associated with later depression. This study shows that early adolescence is a critical point for developing depressive symptoms associated with weight gain. Mental ill-health and obesity are growing concerns for Britain’s young people and this study shows how both are intertwined. Working with young teens to support them to have a positive body image using strategies such as focusing on health and wellbeing rather than weight may be useful in preventing subsequent depression.”

Co-senior author Professor Claire Steves, Professor of Ageing and Health at King’s College London, added: “Using the TwinsUK cohort, which focuses on older adult twins, our study showed that the relationship between BMI and depression was much weaker in later life.  The exact reasons for these changes over the life course need further investigation.”

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