Contact lenses can be a convenient option for those who want clear vision without glasses. However, contacts require more maintenance and care to keep the lenses clean and hydrated. Wearing contact lenses can also increase your risk of developing pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other eye infections.

Pink eye is a common eye infection that can make your eyes red, uncomfortable, and sensitive to light. If you wear contact lenses, it’s important to know how they can make you susceptible to conjunctivitis and what you can do to avoid getting it.

Can You Get Pink Eye from Contacts?

Yes, you can get pink eye from wearing contact lenses, especially if you don’t take proper care of them. Most cases of pink eye are caused by a virus. But bacteria, allergens, and other microorganisms can also stick to your contact lenses and get into your eyes. These can all cause irritation, allergy, inflammation, and infection.

While exposing your contacts to the elements is unavoidable, cleaning and replacing your lenses regularly can help you avoid pink eye from contacts.

Causes

Wearing contact lenses doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get pink eye, but certain behaviors and habits can increase your risk. Below are some of the common causes of conjunctivitis related to contact lenses:

Wearing Contacts Longer than Recommended

Every type of contact lens has a recommended replacement schedule. Some are made to be replaced every day, while others can last up to a month. Your eye doctor will recommend your contact lens replacement schedule based on your preferences and vision needs.

Regardless of your replacement schedule, wearing your contacts longer than recommended increases the risk of developing pink eye or other infections. Generally, daily disposable contact lenses are considered “safer” than longer wear contact lenses. Talk to your eye doctor if you’re concerned about contact lens-related pink eye.

Poor Hygiene

Keeping your hands clean is the best way to avoid pink eye. This includes washing your hands before putting in or taking out your contacts. If you don’t wash your hands before handling your contacts, you can transfer germs from your fingers to your lenses and into your eyes.

Sharing items like eye makeup, face towels, or contact lens supplies with another person also puts you at risk of conjunctivitis. Another rule of thumb is to never rinse your contacts by putting them in your mouth.

Sleeping in Contacts

In general, sleeping in contact lenses is a bad idea. Many eye experts recommend removing all contact lenses before bedtime, even extended-wear lenses. Lenses designed for extended use may be a little “safer,” but sleeping in any type of lens always increases the risk of serious eye infection.

Bacteria also thrive in warm, moist areas. If bacteria or other germs are trapped between your contact lens and your eye while your eyes are closed overnight, you’re creating the perfect opportunity for bacteria to grow and cause pink eye.

Besides the risk of infections, sleeping with contacts can cause eye dryness and irritation. When your eyes are closed for a long time, less oxygen reaches them. This can damage the corneal cells on the eye’s surface and cause discomfort when you wake.

Poor Contact Lens Care

Contact lenses require more maintenance than glasses. Cutting corners in your care routine, like using improper , reusing old solution, or skipping regular lens cleanings, can make you susceptible to pink eye from contacts. , reusing old solution, or skipping regular lens cleanings, can make you susceptible to pink eye from contacts.

Rinsing and storing your contacts in water or using homemade cleaning solutions can also lead to infections.

Proper contact lens care includes:

  • Washing your hands before and after touching your contact lenses or eyes
  • Rubbing and rinsing them with contact lens solution when you take them out and when you put them in
  • Storing your contacts in fresh solution every time you put them in the case
  • Never “topping off” old solution in the case
  • Replacing your storage case every few months
  • Following your eye doctor’s contact lens replacement schedule

Swimming in Contact Lenses

Eye experts advise against swimming, getting into hot tubs, or showering in contact lenses. This is because of the microorganisms in water, as well as how contacts respond to water exposure.

Most swimming pools are chock full of chlorine and other chemicals to keep the water clean. If pool water gets into your eyes while wearing contacts, the chemicals can get trapped between the lenses and your eyes and irritate them. Besides that, there are microorganisms in pool water that are resistant to the chemicals. These can also get trapped behind the contacts and cause infection.

Other bodies of water, like lakes, ponds, and oceans, are even worse, as they have no chemicals to manage the microorganism levels. While wearing goggles can help, it’s best to remove your contact lenses before swimming.

When it comes to showering, contacts are still a no-go. Exposure to warm or hot water can cause the contact lenses to shrink against the surface of the eye. It’s also possible for soap or shampoo to get into your eyes and get trapped behind your contacts.

With all of these potential complications in mind, it’s wise to remove contacts before submerging your face in any type of water.

Can I Wear Contacts with Conjunctivitis?

No, if you have pink eye, you should not wear your contact lenses. Doing so can:

  • Cause the infection to spread
  • Worsen your eye irritation and discomfort
  • Make the infection worse and slow down your healing

You should stop wearing them until your eye has healed completely and your eye doctor approves you wearing them again.

How Long After Eye Infection Can I Wear Contacts?

Once your pink eye is gone, you might be eager to get back to wearing your contacts, but you should wait until your eyes are fully healed. Most doctors recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours after all symptoms have disappeared.

To lower the risk of reinfection, discard the contact lenses and supplies used when your symptoms began. If you use extended-wear contacts, make sure to sterilize them before putting them back in. It's also a good idea to consider not sleeping in your lenses at all. This lowers the risk of complications as well as the risk of reinfection.

Here are some easy steps to keep your eyes healthy and prevent pink eye from contact lenses:

  1. Follow the recommended wear schedule for your contacts. Don’t wear them longer than the time suggested by your eye doctor or the packaging.
  1. Practice good hygiene. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your contact lenses.
  1. Clean your lenses properly. Use fresh contact lens solution every time, and never use water or saliva to clean or store your lenses.
  1. Avoid sleeping in contacts unless they are designed for overnight use.
  1. Replace your contact lens case regularly. A dirty case can easily lead to an infection. Clean your contact case regularly and change it every three months.
  1. Take a break from contacts if your eyes feel irritated or if you notice redness, itching, or discomfort. It's better to switch to glasses for a while than to risk an eye infection.

Contact lenses are a great option for many, but they require proper care to keep your eyes healthy. If you're not careful with how you wear, clean, or store your lenses, you could end up with conjunctivitis or other infections.

By following good hygiene habits and giving your eyes a break when needed, you can enjoy wearing them without the worry of pink eye from contact lenses.