Wearing contact lenses during a shower is a common dilemma for users seeking clear vision during daily hygiene routines. Exposing contacts to water sources like a shower stream introduces serious safety implications for ocular health. Understanding the risks that occur when water meets the contact lens and the eye is necessary for informed lens care. This article provides guidance on the risks involved and offers practical steps for protecting your vision.
The Immediate Danger: Microbial Risks in Water Exposure
You should not take a shower while wearing contact lenses because tap water, including shower water, is not sterile and contains microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections. The primary health risk comes from the presence of bacteria and a microscopic parasite known as Acanthamoeba. This organism can adhere to the surface of a soft contact lens.
Once trapped between the lens and the eye’s surface, the Acanthamoeba parasite can lead to a rare but sight-threatening condition called Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK). This infection targets the cornea, the clear front dome of the eye, and is often characterized by extreme pain and blurred vision. Studies have shown that showering with contact lenses increases the odds of developing AK by more than three times. Other common bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can also cause bacterial keratitis, or corneal ulcers, which require prompt medical treatment.
The Physical Consequences of Wet Lenses
Beyond the threat of infection, water exposure changes the physical properties of the contact lens itself, leading to discomfort and potential physical damage to the eye. Soft contact lenses are designed to maintain a specific shape and hydration level in the eye’s natural tear film, which has a specific salt concentration, or osmolarity. Tap water is hypotonic, meaning it has a much lower salt concentration than the tear film and contact lens solutions.
When soft lenses are exposed to this hypotonic water, they absorb the water, causing them to swell and change their curvature and fit on the eye. This swelling can lead to discomfort, temporary blurred vision, and can cause the lens material to adhere tightly to the corneal surface. Attempting to remove a lens that has become tightly bound to the cornea increases the risk of causing a painful abrasion on the delicate corneal tissue.
Practical Guide: Lens Care Around Water
Always remove your contact lenses before engaging in any activity that involves water exposure, including showering, swimming, or using a hot tub. For those who need vision correction to navigate the shower safely, wearing eyeglasses is the recommended alternative. This preventative step eliminates the risk of microbial contamination and lens damage.
If water accidentally splashes into your eyes while you are wearing contacts, you must act quickly to minimize the risk of infection. Immediately remove the lenses after washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you wear daily disposable lenses, discard them and use a fresh pair later. For reusable lenses, you must clean and disinfect them thoroughly by rubbing, rinsing, and soaking them overnight in a fresh, approved contact lens solution before re-wearing them.