Can you put contact solution in your eyes with contacts?

Can you use contact solution as eye drops? If you wear contacts, at some point, you’ve found yourself questioning whether you can put contact solution in your eyes. Generally, it would make sense. You wash your contacts in it, so why shouldn’t you be able to use it as a rinse? Unfortunately, while it may work as a short-term remedy, it can do much more harm than good.

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Can you use contact solution as eye drops?

The key to this argument is the difference between saline solution, contact solution, and rewetting drops. Unfortunately, many people use “contact solution” as a blanket term, but they’re distinctly different.

Saline solution is a simple PH-balanced saltwater solution. Its primary use is to rinse small particles off contact lenses or hydrate your eyes. While this may sound like saline can clean your contacts, it can’t. It should just be used as a rinse to remove irritants from the surface of the lens. Storing your contacts overnight in saline is also a big mistake. Saline doesn’t clean your lenses like disinfecting contact solution, so you expose yourself to possible eye infections, microorganisms, and other irritations.

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What's the difference between contact solution and saline solution?

Using contact solution as eye drops, on the other hand, does the opposite. Its primary usage is to clean lenses of the daily buildup of germs and other particles and should not be used to rinse out your eye or lens.

Contact lens solutions are essentially saline with additional cleaning compounds which can damage your eye. They’re designed to break down organic material and will hurt your eyes if you use them as a rinse. This is due to how the compounds react with your eyes. The Tear Film in your eye has three layers: the oil layer on the exterior, the middle watery layer, and the interior mucus layer. The middle water layer and the inner mucus layer are responsible for keeping your eye hydrated. The exterior outer oil layer keeps the moisture from evaporating. Contact lens solution does not have that oil component. Its purpose is to clean and break down materials such as that oil to keep your lenses clean. If you use contact lens solution as a rewetting drop, you’re harming your tear film, which will dry out and irritate your eye.

Rewetting drops are the ideal drop to use while wearing contacts. They hydrate your eye while keeping your eyes hydrated for longer by bolstering your tear film. If you’re suffering from dry eyes or irritation, the best solution is a lubricating or rewetting drop.

At Contacts Direct, we have all the best solutions to keep your eyes happy. Proper contact lens care is key to maintaining your vision and eye health. Be sure you use the right solution for the situation, such as rewetting drops, lubricating drops, and more. Visit our website today to learn more!