Can you put contacts in water temporarily?

No, you cannot put contacts in water, even if it’s just temporarily. Water contains microorganisms which can lead to serious eye infections. Often people who wear contact lenses assume that because water is clean enough to drink, it must be safe enough to put contact lenses in too. However, it is not true at all, for even clean, sterile water should never touch your contacts.

• Why is it not okay to put contact lenses in water?
• Can I still use my contacts if they dry out?
• Where to put lenses if there is no solution?

Why is it not okay to put contact lenses in water?

There are plenty of reasons to refrain from putting contact lenses in water. Some of them include:

Risk of contracting infections – Regardless of how safe and pure the water is, it cannot be used to put lenses in. The microorganisms present in water can cause serious eye infections, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Tina Patel, Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts, stated “Although it’s rare, Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye infection which is often contracted by swimming, bathing or showering while wearing contact lenses. Therefore, it’s advisable to remove lenses before engaging in any water-related activities.”

Water is not a disinfectant – Water should not be used to clean or store contact lenses. Putting lenses in water may encourage bacteria and other contaminating pathogens that may multiply on the lenses. When the lenses are put into eyes, these harmful pathogens may also get transferred.

Can I still use my contacts if they dry out?

No, you should not use your contacts if they dry out. It is a natural instinct to want to rescue your dried out lenses and save some money on your two-weekly, monthly, or yearly lenses. However, the cost of a new lens is far better than putting your eyes at risk. This is why it is always recommended to dispose of your dried out lenses and wear new ones.

Where to put lenses if there is no solution

If you’ve run out of solution for your reusable lenses or forgotten your contact lens solution at home, unfortunately you need to discard them.

There are certain tips to avoid running out of solution and having to throw your contacts out. Some of them include:

• Wear daily disposables – With daily disposable contact lenses, there’s no need for solution. You just simply wear a fresh pair of contacts every day and dispose of the lenses before going to bed.
• Buy multi-purpose solution with every contacts order – Make sure to buy multi-purpose solution each time you are ordering your lenses. This way you will always have a reserve of solution to use in an emergency.
• Choose a travel pack – Travel pack solutions are handy when you are travelling or staying somewhere overnight. The comfi All-in-One Solution Travel Pack is easy to carry and comes with a lens case.

• Carry your glasses – Even if you have put in contacts, you should carry your spare pair of prescription glasses. It will serve as an alternative in case you don’t have any contact lens solution or are having a problem with your lenses. This full-rimmed Marc Jacobs MARC 662 807 is a sophisticated black pair of frames and ideal for every occasion.

Feel Good Contacts stocks many types of contact lenses and solutions to suit the needs of every contact lens wearer. Browse our wide range of contact lenses, eye drops and multi-purpose solutions.