Contact Lenses and Water: What You Need to Know
Why Water and Contact Lenses Don't Mix
Water might look clean and safe, but it contains invisible bacteria, parasites, and other harmful germs that can seriously damage your eyes when they come into contact with your lenses. This section explains the main dangers and how different types of water affect your eye health.
One of the most serious threats comes from a tiny parasite called Acanthamoeba that lives in all types of water, including tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, and lakes. This parasite causes a painful infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis that feels like having glass in your eye. The infection is very hard to treat and can take months to heal. In severe cases, it can cause permanent vision loss or even require a cornea transplant. Contact lens wearers are much more likely to get this infection when their lenses touch any type of water.
Water contains many types of bacteria that can cause serious eye infections. Pseudomonas is one of the most dangerous bacteria found in water that easily sticks to contact lenses and grows rapidly. This bacteria can cause corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the front part of your eye. These ulcers cause severe pain, redness, light sensitivity, and blurry vision that can become permanent if not treated quickly. Even clean-looking swimming pools can harbor these bacteria.
Water can physically damage your contact lenses and make them unsafe to wear. Soft contact lenses absorb water like tiny sponges, which makes them swell or change shape. This swelling can create tiny tears on the lens surface where germs can hide. The changed shape also means the lens will not fit properly, causing discomfort and possibly scratching your cornea. Even rigid gas permeable lenses, which do not absorb water, can trap contaminated water against your eye.
All types of water pose risks, but some are more dangerous than others. Tap water contains chlorine but also harbors Acanthamoeba and bacteria that survive treatment. Swimming pools and hot tubs have chemicals that irritate your eyes and do not eliminate all dangerous organisms. Natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and oceans contain the highest levels of bacteria and parasites. Even distilled or bottled water is not sterile enough for contact lens care.
Your eyes have natural defenses like tears that wash away germs, but contact lenses interfere with these protections. When germs get trapped between your lens and your eye, your tears cannot wash them away. The warm, moist environment under a contact lens is perfect for bacteria to multiply rapidly. Additionally, contact lens wear can slightly reduce the oxygen reaching your cornea, which weakens your eye's ability to fight off infections.
Safe Ways to Handle Contact Lenses Around Water
While it is always best to completely avoid water contact when wearing lenses, life sometimes requires us to be around water. Here are proven strategies and practical steps to protect your eyes and maintain clear vision safely in various water-related situations.
The safest approach is to remove your contact lenses before any activity involving water, no matter how brief. This includes swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans, and taking showers or washing your face. Keep your lens case and solution with you so you can store your lenses safely. If you are worried about seeing clearly, consider getting prescription swimming goggles or temporary glasses.
Never rinse, clean, or store your contact lenses in any type of water. Only use contact lens solutions specifically designed for lens care, such as multipurpose solutions like Opti-Free or Biotrue. These solutions contain special ingredients that kill dangerous germs while being gentle on your lenses and eyes. Saline solution only rinses lenses and does not kill germs, so it should never be used for cleaning or storing lenses.
If you need vision correction while swimming or doing water sports, prescription swimming goggles are the best solution. These goggles create a watertight seal around your eyes while providing clear vision. For casual swimming, even regular swimming goggles worn over daily disposable lenses provide some protection, though removing lenses entirely is still the safest choice.
If water accidentally gets on your contact lenses, act quickly to minimize risk. Remove the lenses immediately using clean, dry hands. If they are daily disposable lenses, throw them away and use a fresh pair only after your eyes feel normal. For reusable lenses, disinfect them thoroughly with fresh solution for the full recommended time before considering wearing them again. Never rinse lenses with water to clean them after exposure.
Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly with soap and a clean, lint-free towel before handling your contact lenses. Avoid antibacterial soaps with moisturizers or oils that can transfer to your lenses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and let your hands dry completely before touching your lenses.
Never rinse your contact lens case with tap water, as this can leave harmful germs behind. After each use, empty the case completely, rinse it with fresh contact lens solution, and let it air dry upside down on a clean tissue. Replace your lens case every one to three months, or immediately if it becomes cracked or damaged.
Recognizing and Responding to Eye Problems
Even with careful precautions, problems can occur, and early recognition of warning signs can prevent serious complications. Knowing what symptoms to watch for and how to respond appropriately can protect your vision.
Watch for symptoms that may indicate a serious eye infection, which can develop hours or even days after water exposure. These symptoms can indicate conditions like microbial keratitis, which requires prompt medical attention to avoid complications like corneal scarring.
- Unusual redness that does not go away after removing lenses.
- Pain or discomfort that feels worse than normal lens irritation, or like something is stuck in your eye.
- Sensitivity to light that makes it hard to keep your eyes open.
- Discharge, unusual tearing, or blurry vision that does not improve after blinking.
Some symptoms require urgent medical attention and should never be ignored. Seek immediate care if you experience severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, bright red blood in the white part of your eye, or discharge that looks like pus. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own, as some infections can cause permanent damage within hours if not treated promptly by an eye care professional.
If you develop an eye infection, your eye doctor will examine your eyes and may take samples to identify the cause. Treatment often involves prescription antibiotic or antifungal eye drops that must be used exactly as directed. You will likely need to stop wearing contact lenses completely until the infection clears, which can take days to weeks depending on the severity.
After recovering from any eye infection, take steps to prevent it from happening again. Replace all your contact lens supplies, including lenses, cases, and solutions that may have been contaminated. Review your lens care routine with your eye doctor to identify any habits that contributed to the problem. Consider switching to daily disposable lenses if you frequently encounter situations where water exposure is likely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses and Water
Patients often have concerns about everyday situations involving water and contacts. This section addresses key questions to help you make informed decisions and protect your eye health.
No, it is not safe. Tap water in showers can splash onto lenses and introduce germs linked to serious conditions like Acanthamoeba keratitis. Pools, lakes, and oceans contain bacteria and parasites that can cause painful infections. Hot tubs are especially risky because the warm water helps germs multiply rapidly. Always remove your lenses before any of these activities.
If you accidentally open your eyes underwater or rinse your lenses with tap water, remove them as soon as safely possible. If they are daily disposables, discard them immediately. If they are reusable lenses, you must disinfect them thoroughly with fresh multipurpose solution for the full recommended time. Monitor your eyes for any signs of irritation, redness, or pain, and contact your eye doctor if any symptoms develop.
Neither is safe, but daily disposables reduce risk because you discard them after use, eliminating contaminated storage cases. However, if water contacts a daily lens, it must be thrown away immediately. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses do not absorb water, but they can still trap contaminated water against the cornea, and the hard lens material could increase injury risk if water pressure pushes it against your eye.
No. Rinsing a lens case with tap water leaves behind harmful germs that can contaminate your lenses and solution. After each use, empty the case, rinse it with fresh contact lens solution, and allow it to air dry upside down on a clean tissue. Replacing your case every one to three months is crucial for preventing infections.
Saline solution is only for rinsing lenses; it does not kill germs. Disinfecting solutions, like multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide-based systems, contain ingredients that actively eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms. Saline should never be used as a substitute for a disinfecting solution or for storing lenses overnight.
No, ocean and lake water may be even more dangerous. They contain high levels of natural bacteria, viruses, parasites, and pollutants not found in treated tap water. The salt in ocean water does not sterilize the water or make it safe for contact lens wear. Always remove contacts before swimming in any natural body of water.
Prescription swimming goggles are the safest way to maintain clear vision while swimming. When traveling, always pack extra daily disposable lenses, backup glasses, and approved solutions. Avoid using hotel tap water for any lens care. Planning ahead prevents you from taking risks with your vision while away from home.
No. Never reinsert lenses after water exposure without proper disinfection, even if your eyes feel normal. Dangerous organisms may be present without causing immediate symptoms, and infections can develop hours or days later. For daily disposables, always discard them. For reusable lenses, disinfect them with fresh solution for the full recommended time.
Taking Care of Your Eyes for Life
Protecting your eyes from water-related infections is a key part of lifelong eye health. By developing good habits, following proper lens care routines, and staying alert to warning signs, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision for years to come. Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so when in doubt, always choose the safest option for your eyes.