Can You Use Water to Clean Contacts

No, you cannot use water for contact solution. You need to never use faucet water, bottled water or pure water as an alternative for contact lens solution.

Water for Contact Solution: Pros and Cons

In fact, you need to even beware about getting water splashed in your eyes when swimming (consisting of swimming in chlorinated swimming pools), taking in a hot tub, surfing in the ocean or waterskiing or boating on a lake or river.

Unsafe microorganisms, including the parasite that causes Acanthamoeba keratitis, can be discovered in these environments, and if they follow your contact lenses or get trapped under your lenses, they can cause sight-threatening eye infections.

If you do swim or get water splashed in your eyes while wearing contacts, remove your contact lenses as soon as possible, completely wash the lenses in contact lens solution and store them overnight in the same multipurpose solution to completely sanitize them.

water for contact solution
Plain faucet water might seem like a safe alternative to contact lens solution, however in truth it is a dangerous option. Water, even drinking water, can have various microbes in it, a few of which can cause major problems with your eyes. One microorganism, a protozoa referred to as acanthamoeba, has been understood to cause blindness. This amoeba has been discovered in pools, lakes, rivers as well as in dirty contact lens cases.

Similar to all prospective eye issues, the best treatment is prevention. If you believe it’s possible you may discover yourself in scenarios where you will not have access to get in touch with lens solutions, avoid the issue by wearing everyday non reusable contact lenses rather of multiple-use contact lenses.

Carry a number of pairs of everyday disposable contacts with you wherever you go, and you’ll never ever need to worry about lacking options. At the end of the day (or after you leave the swimming pool) just remove and discard the lenses and change them with brand-new ones. Nothing might be simpler.

Alternatives for Lens Solution

Contact lens solution is not always easily offered when it is time to get rid of, clean and store your contacts. Though items developed particularly for contact lens care are perfect for cleaning and storing contacts, you may use other items in a pinch. Though options for lens solution will assist keep your contacts from drying overnight, do not depend on any solution alternative for long-term needs. Each alternative should be used only at your very own risk.

Saline

Store-bought saline has actually been sanitized, which indicates it’s much safer to use on your contacts than plain tap water. You can use the saline to clean and store your contacts, though its cleansing properties will not be as pronounced as in enzymatic lens cleaners. Although a saline solution will keep your contacts from drying overnight, it will not remove mineral deposits that may have appeared on your lenses. For this factor, saline is inappropriate for long-lasting use. However, saline will get rid of surface area spots.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Only use hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner and storage medium if you have your lens cleaning case with a platinum catalyst. This driver present in lens cleansing cases converts the hydrogen peroxide to water. Hydrogen peroxide will typically cause severe and painful burns to your eyes if not reduced the effects of by this catalyst. Use a hydrogen peroxide solution will a low ratio, such as a 3 percent solution, and do not dilute.

Distilled water

Never clean contacts with or store your lenses in plain faucet water. Tap water consists of bacteria and minerals that are usually harmless to drink, but may harm your contacts or eyes. Distilled water has been boiled and then condensed, indicating it needs to not contain any minerals or bacteria. Distilled water can remove small spots from the surface of contact lenses, but will do a bad job cleaning your contacts. However, distilled water will avoid your contacts from drying out over night and is more effective to faucet water.

Salt Water

It is best to add a percentage of salt to distilled water to get a few of the benefits afforded by saline solution, but you may likewise add table salt to tap water if distilled water is unavailable. Tap water will contain minerals that may leave deposits on your lenses, however the salt ought to eliminate any of the unsafe bacteria that may by prowling in the water. For included safety, boil the water and allow to cool before saving your contacts, as this will eliminate an even greater quantity of infection-causing bacteria.

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission.