Showering while wearing contact lenses can dramatically increase the risk of serious eye infections and damage, and in the worst cases, it can cause blindness. Sleeping and swimming can also cause issues, with experts urging people to stop doing all three.
Why water is dangerous for lenses
Experts at VisionDirect caution that while opting for lenses over glasses means "you'll experience improved levels of comfort, complete freedom of movement and the ability to do more activities with ease," it is "really inadvisable" to wear contacts when it comes to anything involving water, particularly showering.
They explain: "Lenses absorb water very quickly, the longer they come into contact with your lenses, the higher the risk that they'll trap microorganisms in your eye. The most dangerous of these microorganisms is called Acanthamoeba, which can result in the rare but serious eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis."
This infection must be treated immediately, or it can lead to inflammation of the cornea, or in severe cases, is a risk factor for vision loss. The experts stress that this is particularly important for people who wear "soft contact lenses" as these are "incredibly porous," meaning they absorb water faster.
Other risks and what to do
Showering with contact lenses can also increase the risk of eye conditions, eye infections, dry eyes, corneal ulcers, and corneal abrasions or scratches.
Experts urge people to step out of the shower, dry their hands, and remove their lenses straight away to stop bacteria from getting trapped in the eye. Daily contact lens wearers should dispose of their lenses immediately, while those using two-weekly or monthly lenses should first check for damage. If the lenses are damaged, they should be thrown away; if not, they must be sterilised in contact lens solution before being reapplied.
VisionDirect added: "In the case that redness or soreness persists, reach out to your optometrist and seek professional medical advice. It’s best to also give your eyes a break, apply some eye drops and switch to your glasses for a bit."
Do's and don'ts for lens wearers
Experts at Specsavers have also provided advice for contact lens wearers. They recommend washing and drying your hands before handling lenses, stopping wearing lenses if your eyes become red or sore, cleaning your lens case regularly, and checking that the prescription on the lens packaging is correct. They also advise inserting lenses before applying eye make-up, returning for aftercare visits, throwing away lenses after the recommended period, replacing your lens case regularly, and using fresh solution to store lenses.
On the other hand, they warn against using tap water to store, clean or rinse lenses or cases, reusing solutions or saline in the lens case, wearing lenses longer than advised, handling lenses with sharp nails, using lenses for swimming or water sports unless wearing goggles, wearing lenses when showering unless eyes are firmly closed, licking lenses, sleeping in lenses unless advised by an optician, and changing cleaning regimes without professional advice.
