No, putting contact lenses in water can cause serious eye infections and damage to the lenses.
Why Water and Contact Lenses Don’t Mix
Water might seem harmless, but it’s actually a risky choice for cleaning or storing contact lenses. Unlike specially formulated contact lens solutions, water—whether tap, distilled, or bottled—is not sterile and can contain bacteria, protozoa, and other microorganisms. These tiny invaders can hitch a ride on your lenses and cause severe eye infections.
One of the most dangerous threats lurking in water is Acanthamoeba, a microscopic organism that can lead to a painful and potentially sight-threatening infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This condition is notoriously difficult to treat and often requires aggressive medical intervention. Even if you rinse your lenses with water just once, you’re exposing your eyes to these risks.
Besides contamination, water can alter the shape and integrity of soft contact lenses. Water molecules can cause lenses to swell or change their fit on your eye, leading to discomfort, blurry vision, or even damage to the lens itself.
The Science Behind Lens Damage from Water
Contact lenses are designed to maintain a precise moisture balance. When exposed to water instead of saline or multipurpose solutions, they absorb excess liquid. This causes swelling that affects the lens’s curvature and thickness.
Swollen lenses don’t sit properly on your cornea. This misfit can cause irritation, dryness, redness, and blurred vision. In some cases, swollen lenses may tear more easily or lose their structural integrity altogether.
Water also lacks disinfectant properties. Unlike contact lens solutions that kill harmful microbes on the surface of the lens, water may actually introduce new pathogens. Tap water often contains chlorine and other chemicals meant for drinking safety but not safe for direct eye contact.
Types of Water and Their Risks
Not all waters are equally risky when it comes to contact lens care:
- Tap Water: Contains bacteria, viruses, chlorine, minerals, and sometimes parasites.
- Distilled Water: Free from minerals but not sterile; may still carry microbes.
- Bottled Water: Generally purified but not guaranteed sterile; microbial contamination possible.
- Sterile Saline Solution: Specifically made for rinsing lenses safely; free from harmful organisms.
Only sterile saline or approved multipurpose solutions should ever touch your contacts.
The Risks of Using Water With Contact Lenses
Using water with your contacts isn’t just about discomfort—it’s a major health hazard. Here’s what could happen:
Bacterial Keratitis
This infection is caused by bacteria entering the cornea through micro-abrasions created by ill-fitting or damaged lenses. Bacteria thrive when lenses aren’t disinfected properly. Symptoms include pain, redness, discharge, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Rare but devastating, this infection comes from a parasite found in fresh water sources like lakes or tap water. Contact lens wearers who expose their lenses to contaminated water risk this painful disease that can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated.
Corneal Ulcers
Ulcers form when bacteria or other pathogens invade the cornea’s surface layers. They cause open sores that are painful and require immediate medical treatment to prevent scarring or blindness.
Allergic Reactions and Irritations
Even if no infection occurs immediately after exposure to water, you might experience redness, itching, dryness, or discomfort due to chemical residues or microbial contaminants present in tap water.
Proper Care: What You Should Use Instead of Water
Contact lens solutions are specially formulated with disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide or preservatives such as polyquaternium-1 that kill germs without damaging your eyes or lenses.
Here are common types of safe solutions:
| Solution Type | Main Purpose | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Multipurpose Solution | Cleaning & storing | Kills germs; rinses debris; conditions lenses for comfort |
| Hydrogen Peroxide Solution | Deep cleaning & disinfecting | No preservatives; requires neutralization before use; excellent germ-killer |
| Sterile Saline Solution | Rinsing & storing (not disinfecting) | Sodium chloride-based; rinses debris but does not kill germs; use with caution for storage only if disinfected first |
Always follow your eye care professional’s instructions on which solution suits your lens type best.
The Dangers of Swimming or Showering With Contacts On
Many people wonder if they can wear contacts while swimming or showering since these involve exposure to water too. The answer is no—water exposure during these activities increases infection risks dramatically.
Pools contain chlorine but also harbor bacteria and fungi that thrive in warm environments. Lakes and oceans have natural organisms that can cling onto contacts easily. Shower water contains tap contaminants as well as soap residues that irritate eyes when trapped under lenses.
If you must swim with contacts on (not recommended), always wear tight-fitting goggles designed for swimming. Remove your lenses immediately after swimming and clean them with proper solution before reinserting them.
What To Do If Your Contacts Accidentally Get Wet?
Accidents happen—sometimes you might get caught in rain or accidentally rinse your contacts with tap water. Here’s what you should do:
- Remove the contacts immediately.
- Discard disposable lenses.
- If reusable: Thoroughly clean them using multipurpose solution.
- Avoid wearing them until you’re sure they’re fully disinfected.
- If irritation occurs after reinserting: Remove them again and consult an eye doctor promptly.
Never try to reuse contacts soaked in plain water without proper disinfection—it’s simply not worth risking your eyesight.
The Role of Eye Care Professionals in Lens Safety
Optometrists and ophthalmologists stress strict hygiene practices for contact lens wearers because improper care leads directly to infections that could be avoided easily.
During regular checkups:
- Your doctor will examine your eyes for signs of infection or damage caused by poor hygiene.
- You’ll receive guidance tailored specifically for your lens type—daily disposables require different care than monthly ones.
- You’ll learn about safe storage methods including why never using tap water is crucial.
- Your doctor may recommend switching lens types if you have recurring issues related to improper care.
Following professional advice keeps both your eyes healthy and vision clear.
The Economic Cost of Using Water Instead of Proper Solutions
Using tap water might seem like an easy shortcut—but it often backfires financially because infections require costly treatments including medications and sometimes surgery. Damaged contacts need replacement sooner than expected too.
Here’s a quick look at typical costs involved:
| Item/Condition | Averaged Cost (USD) | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Packs of Multipurpose Solution (4 x 300ml) | $15 – $25 | Lasts about one month per user depending on usage frequency. |
| Treatment for Bacterial Keratitis (Antibiotics) | $100 – $500+ | Treatment duration varies based on severity; may include doctor’s visits. |
| Acanthamoeba Keratitis Treatment (Advanced Therapy) | $1000+ | Often requires prolonged therapy including antifungal agents; expensive hospital visits possible. |
| Replacement Contact Lenses (Monthly Disposable) | $30 – $60 per pair/months supply varies by brand/type. | Lenses damaged by improper care need early replacement increasing costs over time. |
| Eyelid/Corneal Surgery (Severe Cases) | $2000+ | Surgical intervention required only in extreme cases due to untreated infections causing scarring/loss of vision. |
Investing in proper cleaning solutions upfront saves money—and more importantly—your eyesight down the road.
Key Takeaways: Can You Put Contact Lenses in Water?
➤ Never use tap water to clean or store lenses.
➤ Water contains microbes that can cause infections.
➤ Use only recommended solutions for lens care.
➤ Avoid swimming or showering with lenses in.
➤ Consult your eye care professional for advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put Contact Lenses in Water Safely?
No, you should never put contact lenses in water. Water is not sterile and can contain harmful microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. Using water risks introducing bacteria and parasites to your lenses, which can lead to painful and potentially sight-threatening conditions.
Why Can’t You Put Contact Lenses in Tap Water?
Tap water contains bacteria, viruses, chlorine, and sometimes parasites that are unsafe for your eyes. It lacks disinfectant properties and can contaminate your lenses, increasing the risk of infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a difficult-to-treat eye condition caused by a microscopic organism found in water.
What Happens if You Put Contact Lenses in Distilled or Bottled Water?
Distilled and bottled water may be free from minerals but are not sterile and can still carry microbes harmful to your eyes. Using these types of water on contact lenses can expose your eyes to infection and damage the lenses by causing swelling or shape changes.
How Does Water Damage Contact Lenses When You Put Them In It?
Water causes contact lenses to absorb excess moisture, leading them to swell and change shape. This swelling affects how lenses fit on the eye, causing discomfort, blurry vision, redness, and increased risk of tearing or structural damage to the lens itself.
What Should You Use Instead of Water for Contact Lens Care?
You should always use sterile saline or approved multipurpose contact lens solutions for cleaning, rinsing, or storing your lenses. These solutions are specifically formulated to kill harmful microbes and maintain lens integrity safely without risking eye infections.
The Bottom Line: Can You Put Contact Lenses in Water?
No matter how tempting it might be during emergencies or out of convenience—putting contact lenses in any form of water is unsafe. It exposes you to dangerous microorganisms capable of causing severe infections while also damaging the delicate structure of soft contact lenses.
Stick strictly to recommended cleaning products designed specifically for contacts. Follow hygiene rules diligently: wash hands before handling lenses, use fresh solution every time you store them, avoid swimming without goggles—and never rinse or store contacts in tap or any other kind of non-sterile water.
Your eyes deserve nothing less than the safest care possible!