Dry eyes due to contact lense overwear?

I have been wearing contact lenses for about 3 years now and I have noticed some dryness and pain when taking out my contacts. When I squint with my contacts in, there is no pain, but when I squint without my contacts in it feels like my inner eyelids are scratching my cornea (the place where my contacts used to be) I have been sleeping in my contacts a lot of times and not taking them out for long periods of time. When I take my contacts out there is a slight stinging when I open my eyes too long and when I wake up in the morning my eyes feel very dry and scratchy. what is this? Corneal abrasion, ulcer, or just dry eye? Will I have to give up contact lenses forever? I don't want to tell my eye doctor about theses symptoms, because I am scared that I might have to wear glasses forever and I couldn't stand living like that. I am really short-sighted and my eyes look really small in my glasses. My parents wouldn't allow Lasik either. My vision becomes cloudy in the mornings too, but only in one eye which seems to be more dry.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Stop sleeping in the lenses for starters.  Try to wear your glasses more.  See your ophthalmologist to make sure the eyes are OK and make sure the contacts are the proper fit.  Use lubricating drops recommended for your contacts while you are reading a lot or on computer a lot.

MJK MD

[forevergirl101]

Only the place where the contact lens was stings.