Can Medical Contact Lenses Be Worn During Sleep for Extended Hours?

Medical contact lenses are a specialized type of contact lens designed not just for vision correction, but to manage or treat a variety of eye diseases. Also known as therapeutic contact lenses, these devices can provide relief, promote healing, and improve vision for individuals with specific ocular conditions.
 

What Are Medical Contact Lenses?

Medical contact lenses differ from standard vision correction lenses in both purpose and design. While regular contacts primarily improve refractive errors such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, medical lenses can protect the surface of the eye, deliver medication, reduce pain, or help manage diseases such as keratoconus, severe dry eye, or corneal erosions. Some types include:

• Bandage contact lenses: Used to shield the cornea and aid in healing after surgery or injury.

• Scleral lenses: Vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, providing a fluid reservoir that can be especially helpful for people with dry eye syndrome or irregular corneas.

• Orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K): Worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea and correct vision during the day.

• Corneal Rigid Gas Permeable lenses: Can improve vision by smoothing out imperfections on the surface of the cornea. 

• Hybrid Contact Lenses: Are a combination of rigid and soft materials which often allow better fits on extremely flat or steep corneas. 

• Amniotic membrane contact lenses: These lenses are made of biological tissue derived from the amniotic membrane and are used to promote healing of severe ocular surface diseases, persistent epithelial defects, or chemical burns.

• Bifocal contact lenses: These lenses provide clear vision at multiple distances and may be used in some therapeutic contexts where multifocal correction is necessary.

• Custom prosthetic lenses: Can improve the appearance of eyes which are disfigured. 

Who Can Benefit from Medical Contact Lenses?

Patients with the following conditions may be prescribed medical contact lenses:

• Corneal abrasions or injuries

• Post-surgical healing needs

• Severe dry eye or ocular surface disease

• Keratoconus or other corneal irregularities from trauma or surgery

• Recurrent corneal erosion

• Chronic eye pain due to exposed nerve endings
   

These lenses can make a significant difference in comfort, healing, and visual function, especially for individuals who have not found relief with standard treatments.
 

Can Medical Contact Lenses Be Worn Overnight?

In cases when contact lenses are used as a bandage to protect the cornea from the eyelids, or as a method to help the cornea heal, they can be used overnight. Some patients with extreme refractive errors but without the ability to handle contacts themselves can also use lenses on an extended wear basis. These patients are carefully monitored and antibiotic drops or other medications are prescribed.  Most therapeutic lenses are not approved for extended or overnight use due to the increased risk of infection, reduced oxygen supply to the cornea, and potential for eye irritation.
 

Ortho-K are specifically designed to be worn while sleeping to reshape the cornea, and are also monitored carefully for possible complications.
 

Wearing medical lenses beyond the recommended duration can lead to complications including lack of oxygen to the cornea,  bacterial ulceration of the cornea, development of new blood vessels into the eye, inflammation inside the eye, and eyelid complications.  Proper hygiene, regular follow-up visits, and clear instructions from your provider are critical when using these contact lenses.
 

Conclusion

Medical contact lenses can offer substantial therapeutic benefits, but understanding their limits is key to safe and effective use. While some specialized lenses are designed for overnight wear, most are not and should be removed before sleeping to avoid complications. Always follow your eye care provider’s instructions and ask questions if you are unsure about wear time or care requirements.
 

If you think medical contact lenses may be right for you, contact Forefront Eye Care to schedule a comprehensive exam and personalized consultation. Visit our office in Boston, Massachusetts, or call (617) 322-0534 to book an appointment today.