Contact lenses offer freedom from eyeglasses, but they also come with specific care instructions.
One crucial rule: avoid water while wearing or handling your contacts.
Here’s why this guideline is so important:
1. Risk of Infection: Water, whether from the tap, shower, pool, or even a hot tub, can contain a multitude of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When contact lenses come into contact with water, these harmful pathogens can attach to the lenses and lead to severe eye infections, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis.
2. Contaminated Water Sources: Even seemingly clean water sources can harbor bacteria. Tap water, for instance, can carry the microorganism responsible for causing eye infections. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep your lenses away from any water source.
3. Water Can Warp Lenses: Contact lenses are designed to maintain their shape on your eye. Water, however, can cause soft lenses to swell and change shape, leading to discomfort and blurred vision.
4. Reduced Disinfection: If your lenses come into contact with water, their disinfection becomes less effective. Water can dilute or neutralize the disinfecting solution, leaving your lenses inadequately cleaned and increasing the risk of eye infections.
5. Preserving Lens Integrity: Prolonged exposure to water can damage the structure of your contact lenses, making them less durable and prone to tearing.
To protect your eye health and ensure a comfortable contact lens experience, always adhere to the “no water” rule.
Instead, use the recommended disinfecting solution provided by your Optometrist for cleaning, rinsing, and storing your lenses.
If you need to swim or engage in water-related activities, wear waterproof goggles and remove your contact lenses beforehand.
Remember, preserving your eye health starts with proper contact lens care, and avoiding water is a critical part of that care routine.