Can You Leave Your Contacts In Water?

Leaving contact lenses in water can cause serious eye infections and damage, making it unsafe and strongly discouraged.

Why Water is Dangerous for Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are designed to be stored and cleaned with specialized solutions, not plain water. Water, whether tap, distilled, or bottled, contains microorganisms and impurities that can cling to the lens surface. These contaminants can lead to severe eye infections, including keratitis—an inflammation of the cornea that can threaten vision.

Unlike saline or multipurpose contact lens solutions, water lacks disinfecting properties. It cannot kill bacteria, fungi, or protozoa that may be present. Even distilled water is not sterile and may harbor pathogens. The most notorious culprit linked to eye infections from water exposure is Acanthamoeba, a microscopic organism found in freshwater sources. If contact lenses soak in water contaminated with Acanthamoeba, it can cause a painful and potentially blinding infection.

The Role of Contact Lens Materials

Modern contact lenses are made from hydrophilic materials designed to absorb moisture for comfort and clarity. Unfortunately, this also means they can absorb contaminants from water easily. Soft lenses are especially vulnerable because they retain more moisture compared to rigid gas permeable lenses.

When lenses absorb water, their shape and fit may alter slightly, causing discomfort or blurred vision upon reinsertion. Moreover, the lens surface can become a breeding ground for microbes that thrive in moist environments.

Types of Water and Their Risks

Not all water is created equal when it comes to contact lens safety. Here’s a breakdown of common types of water and why none are suitable for storing or rinsing contacts:

Water Type	Contaminants Present	Risk Level for Contacts
Tap Water	Bacteria, viruses, protozoa (including Acanthamoeba)	High risk – frequent source of infections
Distilled Water	No minerals but not sterile; possible microbes	Moderate risk – lacks disinfectants
Bottled Water	Depends on source; generally low but variable microbial presence	Low to moderate risk – still unsafe for contacts

Even though distilled and bottled waters seem “clean,” they do not meet the sterility standards required for eye care products. Tap water is the worst offender because it contains a variety of microorganisms that thrive in plumbing systems.

The Consequences of Leaving Contacts in Water

Leaving your contacts soaking in any type of water poses several risks beyond just infection:

Lens Contamination: Microbes attach to the lens surface and multiply.
Lens Warping: Water absorption changes lens shape and flexibility.
Eye Irritation: Deposits from minerals or chemicals in water can irritate eyes.
Increased Infection Risk: Pathogens cause keratitis or conjunctivitis.
Potential Vision Loss: Severe infections may result in corneal scarring or blindness.

One alarming fact is that Acanthamoeba keratitis often requires months of intensive treatment and sometimes surgery. The infection is notoriously difficult to diagnose early because symptoms mimic common eye irritations.

The Science Behind Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba exists naturally in soil, air, tap water, hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes, rivers—virtually everywhere. When contact lenses come into contact with contaminated water—even briefly—the organism can attach to the lens surface.

Once on the eye’s surface via the lens, Acanthamoeba invades the corneal tissue causing severe pain, redness, tearing, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing. Early detection is crucial but tricky as symptoms overlap with other infections.

This infection highlights why even brief exposure of lenses to any form of untreated water is dangerous.

The Proper Care Routine for Contact Lenses

To keep eyes healthy and lenses safe:

Avoid using tap or any kind of water on your contacts.
Always clean and store lenses in FDA-approved multipurpose solutions.
Follow your eye care professional’s instructions strictly.
Never “top off” old solution; discard it completely before adding fresh solution.
Avoid wearing contacts while swimming or showering.
If lenses accidentally touch water, disinfect thoroughly before use—or discard if unsure.

Multipurpose solutions contain disinfectants that kill bacteria and fungi while also cleaning protein deposits from lenses. They maintain lens moisture without introducing harmful contaminants.

The Role of Saline Solutions Versus Multipurpose Solutions

Saline solutions might seem like a safe alternative since they are saltwater-based. However:

Saline does not disinfect lenses.
It only rinses away debris.
Using saline alone increases infection risk if lenses were exposed to microbes beforehand.

Multipurpose solutions combine cleaning agents with disinfectants making them essential for daily lens care.

The Risks Associated With Showering or Swimming With Contacts On

Many contact wearers ask if it’s okay to keep their lenses on during showers or swimming sessions. The answer is no—and here’s why:

Shower water contains tap contaminants.
Pools contain chlorine but also bacteria.
Lakes and oceans have natural microorganisms.
All these waters pose infection risks when trapped under contact lenses.

Contacts create a barrier that traps microorganisms against your cornea instead of washing them away naturally with tears.

If you must wear contacts during these activities:

Use waterproof goggles while swimming.
Avoid letting water touch your eyes directly.
Remove contacts immediately after exposure.
Clean thoroughly before reinsertion or discard disposable lenses after use.

Ignoring these precautions dramatically increases chances of painful infections.

The Impact of Leaving Contacts in Water Overnight

Leaving contacts soaking overnight in plain water (instead of proper solution) might sound harmless but it’s far from safe. Here’s what happens:

Microbes multiply rapidly without disinfectant.
Lens material degrades due to improper hydration.
Residual deposits build up on the lens surface.
You risk waking up with red, irritated eyes or worse—an infection requiring medical treatment.

Eye doctors strongly warn against this practice because overnight exposure magnifies all dangers associated with brief contact with untreated water.

Lens Damage From Water Exposure Over Time

Repeatedly exposing contacts to water causes cumulative damage such as:

Lens warping reducing comfort and vision clarity.
Tears forming micro-abrasions on the cornea due to poor fit.
Lipid/protein deposits hardening on lens surfaces increasing irritation risks.
Poor oxygen permeability leading to dry eyes or corneal hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

Replacing damaged lenses prematurely becomes necessary if you accidentally expose them regularly to any kind of untreated liquid.

Key Takeaways: Can You Leave Your Contacts In Water?

➤ Water can harbor harmful microbes.

➤ Contacts may absorb water, causing discomfort.

➤ Risk of eye infections increases with water exposure.

➤ Use only recommended contact solutions for storage.

➤ Avoid swimming or showering with contacts in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Leave Your Contacts in Water Overnight?

Leaving your contact lenses in water overnight is unsafe and strongly discouraged. Water contains microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections, and it lacks the disinfecting properties needed to keep lenses sterile and safe for your eyes.

Why Is It Dangerous to Leave Your Contacts in Tap Water?

Tap water harbors bacteria, viruses, and protozoa like Acanthamoeba, which can cling to contact lenses and lead to severe eye infections such as keratitis. Using tap water to store or rinse lenses increases the risk of painful and potentially blinding infections.

Can Distilled Water Be Used to Leave Your Contacts In?

Distilled water is not sterile and may contain harmful microbes. Although it lacks minerals, it does not disinfect lenses, making it unsafe to leave contacts in distilled water. Specialized lens solutions are necessary to properly clean and store contacts.

What Happens If You Leave Soft Contact Lenses in Water?

Soft contact lenses absorb moisture and contaminants from water, which can alter their shape and fit. This may cause discomfort, blurred vision, and create a breeding ground for microbes, increasing the risk of eye infections.

Is It Safe to Leave Your Contacts in Bottled Water?

Bottled water varies in microbial content and is not sterile enough for contact lenses. Although it may seem cleaner than tap water, it still poses a risk of contamination and should never be used to store or rinse contacts.

The Safer Alternatives If You Accidentally Get Water On Your Contacts

If you find yourself with wet contacts from accidental exposure:

Avoid putting them back directly into your eyes without cleaning.
If possible, discard disposable lenses immediately rather than risking contamination.
If using reusable lenses:

Sterilize thoroughly using multipurpose solution for at least four hours before reuse.
Avoid rinsing with tap or any other kind of non-sterile water again during cleaning process.
If irritation develops after reinsertion — remove immediately and consult an eye care professional without delay.
If symptoms worsen—redness,pain,sensitivity—seek urgent medical attention as these may signal serious infection needing prompt treatment.

Remember: erring on the side of caution protects your sight better than risking infection by reusing compromised lenses.

The Bottom Line: Can You Leave Your Contacts In Water?

The short answer? No! Leaving your contacts soaking in any type of water poses significant health risks including dangerous infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis. Water does not disinfect; instead it harbors harmful microbes that cling tightly to soft lens material causing contamination.

Proper care demands using approved multipurpose solutions exclusively for cleaning and storing your contacts. Avoid showering or swimming while wearing them unless using protective goggles—and never rinse or store them in tap or bottled water under any circumstances.

Your eyes deserve careful protection every day. Following strict hygiene practices keeps your world clear without risking pain or permanent damage from avoidable infections caused by careless exposure to simple H₂O!

Stay safe by keeping those delicate lenses away from all forms of untreated water!