Contact lens wearers often experience dryness, irritation, or discomfort, leading them to seek relief using eye drops. Whether eye drops can be used with contacts depends entirely on the product’s formulation. Using the wrong drops can cause blurred vision, lens damage, or serious eye health issues. Wearers must understand the difference between standard drops and those specifically engineered for use with lenses.
Understanding Lens Material Interaction
Standard, over-the-counter eye drops, such as artificial tears, are often incompatible with soft contact lenses due to their ingredients. The main issue is the presence of preservatives, which prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life in multi-dose bottles. Soft lenses, particularly hydrogel and silicone hydrogel types, are highly absorbent because of their water content. These materials readily soak up ingredients, including preservatives, from the tear film.
The most common preservative is Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK). When standard drops containing BAK are applied while wearing lenses, the lens material concentrates the preservative within its matrix. This concentrated BAK is then slowly released onto the eye surface, causing prolonged irritation. Extended exposure to BAK can damage the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to redness and a condition known as toxic keratitis. Incompatible drop formulations can also interact with the lens polymer, causing the lens to discolor, change physical properties, or shrink.
Identifying Contact-Safe Solutions
For routine discomfort, wearers should only use drops specifically labeled for soft contact lenses, such as rewetting or lubricating drops. These solutions are formulated to hydrate the lens and the eye surface simultaneously without causing accumulation or damage. They contain ingredients that help stabilize the tear film and restore moisture, improving comfort and clearing small debris.
Preservative-free formulations are the preferred option for frequent use. These products typically come in single-use vials to maintain sterility without chemical agents like BAK. Even contact-safe drops can be problematic if they are excessively thick. Thicker drops may adhere to the lens surface, leading to transient blurriness or a cloudy film that temporarily obscures vision.
Standard multipurpose contact lens solution or saline solution is not a substitute for rewetting drops. Saline is used for rinsing or storing lenses but lacks the lubricating agents needed for lasting comfort. When applying contact-safe drops, blink several times after instillation to ensure the solution is distributed evenly. If using a thicker drop, waiting a few minutes before resuming activities can help the vision clear.
Mandatory Lens Removal Situations
Certain types of eye drops should never be used while contacts are worn, requiring lens removal. Redness-relieving drops are one such category. These products contain vasoconstrictors, chemicals that shrink visible blood vessels to temporarily reduce redness.
If a lens absorbs the vasoconstrictor, residue can build up, potentially causing irritation or rebound redness once the drop’s effect wears off. Lenses must also be removed for any medicated drops, such as those prescribed for allergies, infections, or glaucoma. These therapeutic drugs require direct contact with the eye’s surface for full absorption, and the lens material interferes with the intended dosage and action.
When using a non-contact-safe drop, lenses must be taken out before application. After instilling the drop, a waiting period, typically 10 to 15 minutes, is required before reinsertion. This time allows active ingredients and preservatives to be washed away by the tear film or absorbed by the eye tissue, preventing the lens from soaking up problematic chemicals.