Whether you can use drops in your eyes while wearing contact lenses depends entirely on the specific solution. Using the wrong type of eye drop can lead to significant discomfort, damage to the lens material, or harm to the surface of your eye. Understanding the difference between contact-safe drops and standard eye drops is necessary to maintain both your vision correction and your eye health. This guide provides information on which products are safe, why others pose a risk, and the correct procedure for application.
Which Eye Solutions Are Safe to Use
Only solutions specifically formulated and clearly labeled “for use with contact lenses” are safe to apply directly onto the eye while a lens is in place. These products, known as rewetting or lubricating drops, are designed to hydrate the lens material and the eye’s surface without causing damage or buildup. They are thin, non-viscous artificial tear formulations that work in harmony with the lens material.
Solutions that are not safe include redness-relieving drops and many general-purpose artificial tears or medicinal drops. Redness relievers contain vasoconstrictor chemicals that should not be absorbed by the lens. Many standard dry eye drops may contain preservatives or thick ingredients that can cloud or damage the contact lens.
Prescription drops, such as those for allergies or infections, should only be used while wearing lenses if an eye care professional has explicitly approved the usage. Medicated drops require the removal of contact lenses before application, followed by a waiting period of 10 to 15 minutes before reinsertion. This waiting time allows the active medication to absorb fully without the lens interfering.
Why Contact Lenses Absorb Ingredients
The primary danger in using non-compatible solutions stems from the physical properties of soft contact lenses, particularly those made from hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials. These lenses are designed to be hydrophilic, meaning they attract and hold water to remain soft and flexible on the eye. This water-loving nature causes the lens to act like a sponge, readily soaking up anything that enters the tear film.
When a lens absorbs ingredients from a standard eye drop, it can concentrate chemicals directly against the cornea for an extended period. Many common over-the-counter drops contain preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which can bind to the lens material. This concentration of preservatives can lead to ocular toxicity, causing irritation, redness, and even damage to the corneal surface over time.
Vasoconstrictor agents found in redness-relieving drops, such as naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, are particularly problematic. When absorbed and held against the eye by the lens, they intensify the vasoconstriction effect, potentially reducing oxygen flow to the cornea. Decreased oxygen is a major risk factor for contact lens-related complications and infections. The chemical deposits from these incompatible drops can also permanently stain or cloud the lens, affecting vision quality.
Proper Technique for Applying Rewetting Drops
Before applying any drop, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel to prevent introducing contaminants. Always inspect the bottle’s expiration date, as using expired products poses a health risk.
Application Steps
- Tilt your head slightly backward and look toward the ceiling.
- Use a clean finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid, creating a small pocket below the eye.
- Carefully position the dropper directly over this pocket, ensuring the tip does not touch your eye, eyelid, or the contact lens.
- Squeeze the bottle to release a single drop into the created space.
- Release the lower lid and gently close your eye for a few moments, or blink a few times to evenly distribute the solution.
- If a second drop is required, wait a few seconds before applying it.
Immediate Steps If You Use the Wrong Solution
If you accidentally use an incompatible solution while wearing your contact lenses, you may immediately experience symptoms like stinging, burning, excessive tearing, or blurred vision. The first and most important step is to remove the contact lenses immediately, as they are likely saturated with the irritating or damaging chemicals. Do not attempt to force a lens out if it feels stuck; instead, use a liberal amount of sterile saline solution to rehydrate the lens before removal.
Once the lenses are out, thoroughly rinse your eyes with a preservative-free sterile saline solution or contact lens rinsing solution to flush out any residual chemicals from the eye’s surface. Inspect the removed lenses for any signs of staining, clouding, or permanent damage, and discard them if any damage is visible or if they were exposed to a highly toxic ingredient. Never attempt to re-wear a compromised lens.
If the irritation, pain, excessive redness, or a noticeable change in vision persists for more than a few hours after removing the lenses and rinsing the eyes, seek immediate consultation with an eye care professional. Persistent symptoms may indicate a chemical burn, corneal abrasion, or other serious reaction that requires prompt medical attention.