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Eye Health
Running out of contact solution can be a bit of a challenge to conquer, whether you're away from home or need it on the go. In a pinch, you may wonder how to rinse your contact lenses, store them, or clean them without solution.
Let's be clear: you should never put your contacts in water. It is full of germs and bacteria that can be dangerous to your eyes when exposed. Putting your lenses in water can also make them swell up, which can alter the way they fit on your eye.
Below, we'll outline what to do if you run out of a proper contact solution.
Can You Put Contacts In Water?
"The firm answer is no," says John Lahr, OD, FAAO, Medical Director for EyeMed Vision Care. "You cannot use water as a contact solution. Using tap water, bottled or even distilled water is never a substitute for contact lens solution.".
Putting contact lenses in water will contaminate the lenses and give rise to eye irritation or infection. Using the best contact solution preserves the quality and safety of your lenses.
Tap water is not salty like tears are, so contact lenses absorb the water and swell. They hold onto it, causing problems. It is not sterile and contains microorganisms. If your lens swells, it changes how the actual contact lens fits, making it tight on the eye.
"You can also create microscopic breaks in your cornea that microorganisms can get into, which can create infections," says Dr. Lahr.
Another common question asked by contact wearers is, "Can you put contact lenses in water overnight?"
When you don't have contact solution, a common technique is to use water or your saliva as an "emergency" solution. Doing this is a very bad idea. You are exposing your contact lenses to substances riddled with microorganisms. According to Dr. Lahr, putting contacts into your mouth is like "putting them in a petri dish."
What Happens if You Put Contacts in Water?
Putting your contacts in water is unsafe and unsanitary. Water from a tap, pool, or lake is full of bacteria and germs, including a microbe called Acanthamoeba. Exposing your contact lenses and your eyes to this microbe can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis — a serious, painful type of eye infection.
If you contract Acanthamoeba keratitis, it may take up to a year to fully resolve. It can also lead to blindness or the need for a corneal transplant if not treated promptly.
Microorganisms travel fast. Don't risk your eye health by trying to use water as a contact solution alternative.
Is Homemade Contact Solution Safe?
No, a homemade solution for contacts is not safe. You can find numerous articles on the internet on how to make homemade contact solution, but none of them are appropriate to use, and they can be detrimental to your eye health.
Using homemade saline is risky because there is no guarantee that it is germ- or bacteria-free. In many cases, homemade saline is full of germs. Using this in your eyes can cause infection and discomfort, and potentially lead to permanent damage.
You may need saline solution for other purposes, like nasal irrigation, wound care, or after-piercing care. But it's best to use a sterile saline solution and not a DIY product.
What About Other Possible Contact Solution Alternatives?
If you have found yourself in a situation where your lenses are bothering you and you don't have contact solution on hand, try using lubricating drops specifically made for use with contact lenses to temporarily relieve the discomfort.
It's also wise to always carry some emergency contact solution and a contact lens case with you. Carrying backup eyeglasses can also be useful in a crisis.
If you find yourself without any solution, it can be tempting to get creative. You can find many "solutions" on the internet, from tap water to your saliva. But any so-called substitute for contact solution can be very dangerous to your eye health. Here are a few examples and why you should never use them.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Some contact lens solutions contain hydrogen peroxide. This type of solution does not contain preservatives and can be a better choice for those who are allergic or sensitive to ones that do. However, there are important steps you must take to make hydrogen peroxide safe for your contact lenses and eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide contact solution has to be neutralized — otherwise, it can seriously damage your eyes. The process requires a contact lens care system that turns hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water, which is safe for eyes and lenses. Un-neutralized hydrogen peroxide should not be placed anywhere near your eyes or lenses. It can cause burning, stinging, and irritation, and can also severely damage your eyes.
Homemade Saline Solution
Never use a do-it-yourself saline solution. There are almost always dangerous germs found in homemade saline that can cause serious harm to your eyes. An infection from a botched DIY contact solution can put you at risk for vision loss.
Saline Solution or Saline Nasal Spray
Saline solution can be used to rinse your eyes or contact lenses — for example, to flush out dirt or debris. However, it needs to be a store-bought sterile eye wash, not a DIY or homemade version. A saline nasal spray is not the same as a saline eye wash.
Also, rinsing your lenses with saline does not disinfect them. You need to use an appropriate contact lens solution as well. Always speak with your eye doctor before trying a new product with your contacts.
Eye Refreshing Drops
Eye drops are okay to use when you're wearing contacts to help relieve discomfort or dryness, but they're not suitable as a contact solution alternative. Eye refreshing drops and contact lens solutions are different products that work in different ways. Eye drops are designed to lubricate and moisturise the eyes, while contact lens solutions are formulated to clean and disinfect contact lenses. They're not interchangeable.
Saliva
If your contact lenses have dried out and you don't have solution or drops, do not try to re-moisten them with saliva or place them in your mouth. Mouths are full of bacteria that can lead to an eye infection if they touch your lenses.
No matter how promising a contact solution alternative seems, there is no option that is safe for your eyes other than the real deal. Try to keep an extra bottle of solution on hand in case you run out.
Note that sleeping in your contacts when your doctor has advised you not to — just to avoid using solution — is also a bad idea. Doing so can put you at risk of eye infection, ulcers, redness, irritation, and additional complications.
Real Contact Solution Is the Safest Option
There is no legitimate or safe substitution for contact solution. But there are some ways you can prepare yourself for the event that you run out. We recommend the following:
- Carry a backup solution and a lens case with you at all times.
- Carry a spare pair of eyeglasses in case you need to remove your contacts for any reason.
- Consider using daily disposable or weekly disposable lenses and carrying an extra pair with you.
Talk with your eye doctor about making the switch from monthly contacts to some you can change more frequently (you'll need a new prescription to do so). Whichever type of contact lens you go for, remember to only use sterile solution, drops, and other approved products.
