Storing contact lenses in water overnight is unsafe and can cause serious eye infections.
Why Water Is a Dangerous Storage Medium for Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are delicate medical devices designed to sit directly on the eye’s surface. Their maintenance is critical to eye health. Using water—whether tap, distilled, or bottled—as a storage solution for contacts overnight poses significant risks. Water lacks the disinfecting properties necessary to kill harmful microorganisms that can attach to lenses. This can lead to bacterial, fungal, or amoebic contamination.
Unlike specialized contact lens solutions formulated with disinfectants and buffering agents, water is not sterile and may contain pathogens such as Acanthamoeba, which causes a rare but severe eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection often results from exposure to contaminated water sources and improper lens hygiene.
Leaving contacts in water overnight also causes the lenses to swell or change shape due to water absorption. This alters their fit on the eye, potentially causing discomfort, blurred vision, or even corneal abrasions.
The Science Behind Contact Lens Care Solutions
Contact lens solutions are carefully engineered to clean, disinfect, rinse, and store lenses safely. They contain ingredients such as:
- Disinfectants: Kill bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.
- Surfactants: Remove debris and deposits from lens surfaces.
- Buffers: Maintain pH balance compatible with the eye.
- Salts and electrolytes: Preserve lens hydration without distortion.
Water lacks all these critical components. It cannot disinfect lenses or maintain their structural integrity during storage. Even distilled or sterile water does not meet these standards because it lacks antimicrobial agents.
The Risks of Using Tap Water Specifically
Tap water may seem clean but contains microorganisms and trace minerals that can adhere to lenses. The chlorine used in municipal water treatment does not sterilize it completely at the point of use. Moreover, tap water’s mineral content can cause deposits on lenses that reduce comfort and vision clarity.
A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that improper contact lens hygiene involving tap water is a leading cause of microbial keratitis outbreaks.
What Happens If You Put Contacts in Water Overnight?
Storing contacts in water overnight leads to several adverse effects:
- Lens Contamination: Bacteria and other microbes multiply rapidly in water environments.
- Lens Swelling: Soft contact lenses absorb water, causing them to expand beyond intended size.
- Reduced Oxygen Permeability: Swollen lenses restrict oxygen flow to the cornea, risking hypoxia.
- Eye Irritation: Contaminated or misshapen lenses cause redness, itching, and discomfort.
- Increased Infection Risk: Pathogens introduced via water can lead to serious infections requiring medical treatment.
Even if no immediate symptoms appear after wearing lenses stored in water overnight, microscopic damage or contamination could be present. This damage might manifest later as infections or chronic irritation.
The Role of Acanthamoeba Keratitis
One of the most dangerous consequences of storing contacts in non-sterile liquids like tap water is exposure to Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba found commonly in soil and freshwater sources. It adheres strongly to contact lenses rinsed or stored improperly.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is difficult to treat because it often resists standard antibiotics and antifungal medications. Symptoms include severe pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and excessive tearing. In extreme cases, it may require corneal transplant surgery.
A Safer Alternative: Proper Contact Lens Storage Practices
To protect your eyes from harm while using contact lenses:
- Always use FDA-approved contact lens solutions for cleaning and storing your lenses.
- Avoid rinsing or storing lenses in any type of water—tap, distilled, bottled—under any circumstances.
- Clean your lens case regularly with fresh solution (never water) and replace it every three months.
- Follow your eye care professional’s instructions for lens care meticulously.
- If you suspect contamination or experience discomfort after wearing your contacts, remove them immediately and consult an eye specialist.
These steps ensure your contacts remain safe for use while reducing risks of infections dramatically.
The Importance of Lens Case Hygiene
The lens case itself can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly. Using only saline solution or multipurpose solution recommended by manufacturers keeps cases free from harmful microbes.
Never top off old solution; always discard used solution before adding fresh liquid. This prevents dilution of disinfectants that could allow microbial growth.
An Overview Table: Contact Lens Storage Liquids Compared
| Storage Medium | Sterility & Disinfection | User Safety & Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution | Sterile; contains disinfectants; designed specifically for lenses. | Safe when used as directed; reduces infection risk significantly. |
| Sterile Saline Solution | Sterile; no disinfectant properties; used mainly for rinsing only. | No disinfection; safe only if followed by proper disinfection steps. |
| Treated Tap Water / Distilled Water / Bottled Water | Not sterile; contains microbes/minerals; no disinfection capability. | Unsafe for storage; leads to contamination and infection risk. |
The Consequences of Ignoring Proper Lens Care: Real-World Cases
Reports from ophthalmologists reveal numerous cases where patients suffered severe eye infections due to improper handling of contact lenses involving water exposure overnight.
In one documented incident, a young adult who stored daily disposable soft contacts in tap water overnight developed Acanthamoeba keratitis. Despite aggressive treatment involving antimicrobial drops over several months, permanent vision impairment occurred due to delayed diagnosis linked directly to poor storage practices.
Another study found that nearly 50% of patients presenting with microbial keratitis admitted rinsing their contacts with tap water at some point—a clear indicator that casual use of non-sterile liquids dramatically increases risk factors.
These examples underscore why strict adherence to recommended care guidelines is non-negotiable for anyone wearing contacts regularly.
The Science Behind Lens Material Sensitivity To Water Exposure
Soft contact lenses are made primarily from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel materials designed to hold moisture while allowing oxygen transmission through the lens matrix. When submerged in pure water overnight:
- The polymer structure absorbs excess fluid causing swelling beyond design parameters.
- This swelling changes curvature affecting how the lens fits on the cornea—leading to discomfort and impaired vision clarity.
- The altered surface tension may trap contaminants more easily once worn again on the eye’s surface.
- Lenses lose mechanical strength making them prone to tearing during insertion/removal processes after improper storage in water.
Hard gas permeable (GP) lenses are less prone to swelling but still require careful cleaning with appropriate solutions rather than plain water since they too need disinfection against pathogens.
Can You Put Contacts In Water For A Night? – The Final Verdict
The short answer: No—you should never put contacts in any type of water overnight. Doing so risks serious eye infections like bacterial keratitis or Acanthamoeba keratitis due to microbial contamination combined with structural damage caused by swelling. These outcomes can lead to painful symptoms and even long-term vision loss requiring extensive medical intervention.
Safe contact lens care demands using proper multipurpose solutions designed specifically for cleaning and storing your lenses under hygienic conditions. Avoid shortcuts like using tap or distilled water at all costs—even if it seems harmless initially.
Your eyes deserve better protection than guesswork when it comes to maintaining healthy vision through contact lens wear!
Key Takeaways: Can You Put Contacts In Water For A Night?
➤ Never store contacts in plain water; it risks eye infections.
➤ Use only recommended contact lens solutions for cleaning.
➤ Water can cause lenses to swell and become uncomfortable.
➤ Sleeping with contacts in water increases irritation risks.
➤ Proper hygiene extends lens life and protects your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put Contacts In Water For A Night Safely?
No, putting contact lenses in water overnight is unsafe. Water lacks disinfecting agents and can harbor harmful microorganisms that cause serious eye infections.
Using water instead of proper lens solution increases the risk of contamination and eye damage.
Why Is It Dangerous To Put Contacts In Water Overnight?
Water does not kill bacteria, fungi, or amoebas that can attach to lenses. This can lead to infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe eye condition.
Additionally, water causes lenses to swell or change shape, leading to discomfort and blurred vision.
What Happens To Contact Lenses When You Put Them In Water Overnight?
Lenses absorb water and swell, altering their fit on the eye. This can cause discomfort, blurred vision, or even corneal abrasions.
Contaminants in water may multiply on the lenses, increasing infection risks.
Is Tap Water Safe For Storing Contact Lenses Overnight?
No, tap water contains microorganisms and minerals that can adhere to lenses. Chlorine treatment does not sterilize tap water completely at the point of use.
Using tap water for lens storage is a common cause of microbial keratitis outbreaks.
What Should You Use Instead Of Water To Store Contact Lenses Overnight?
You should use specialized contact lens solutions designed to clean, disinfect, and preserve lenses safely. These solutions contain disinfectants and buffering agents essential for eye health.
Avoid using any form of water to store contacts overnight to prevent infections and lens damage.
A Quick Recap on Safe Contact Lens Storage Habits:
- Avoid putting contacts in any kind of water overnight;
- Use only FDA-approved multipurpose solutions;
- Keeps cases clean by rinsing them with fresh solution daily;
- If unsure about symptoms after wearing contacts stored improperly—consult an eye care professional immediately;
- Replace your lens case every three months;
- Avoid topping off old solution inside your case;
- Treat your eyes with respect—they’re irreplaceable!
Following these simple yet crucial steps ensures you never have to wonder again: Can You Put Contacts In Water For A Night? The answer remains clear—never risk it!