Contact lenses are a popular choice for vision correction, but their use requires strict adherence to safety protocols. Accidental exposure of lenses to water, such as being caught in an unexpected rain shower, poses a significant risk. Contact between lenses and any non-sterile water source, including rainwater, can introduce contaminants and harm eye health.
The Specific Dangers of Water Exposure
Water from sources like rain, tap water, or lakes is not sterile and harbors various microorganisms. Soft contact lenses are particularly susceptible because they absorb moisture, allowing them to soak up contaminants. This absorption introduces bacteria, fungi, and parasites directly onto the eye’s surface.
The most concerning microbiological threat is Acanthamoeba, a naturally occurring amoeba found in almost all environments. If a lens is exposed to water carrying this organism, the amoeba can adhere to the lens and become trapped between the lens and the cornea. This can lead to a severe, vision-threatening infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).
Beyond biological dangers, water physically affects the lens and the eye. Rainwater is hypotonic, meaning it has a lower salt content than the natural tear film. When soft lenses absorb this hypotonic water, they can swell or change shape, disrupting the lens fit and causing irritation. This physical change can create microscopic abrasions on the cornea, providing an entry point for infectious organisms like Acanthamoeba or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Immediate Steps When Caught in the Rain
If you are wearing contact lenses and are exposed to rain, your immediate priority is to minimize direct contact between the water and your eyes. Shielding your eyes with an umbrella, hat, or hand reduces the volume of water hitting the lens surface. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this action can push trapped water or debris deeper under the lens and potentially damage the cornea.
Remove the lenses immediately upon reaching a clean, dry environment. Before handling them, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, drying them completely with a clean towel to prevent transferring contaminants. If the lenses feel stuck or dry, use a few drops of sterile rewetting solution to lubricate the eye and help the lens float before removal. Once removed, the contaminated lenses must not be reinserted until they have been properly disinfected or discarded.
Essential Post-Exposure Contact Lens Care
The safest and most recommended action following any water exposure is to immediately discard the contact lenses, particularly if they are daily disposable lenses. These lenses are not designed to withstand the vigorous cleaning and disinfection required to eliminate waterborne pathogens.
If you wear reusable lenses, such as two-week or monthly wear, they require comprehensive disinfection. Begin by rubbing the lenses with fresh, multipurpose solution to physically dislodge attached microorganisms or debris. Rinse thoroughly using the same sterile solution, ensuring you do not use tap water at any stage. The lenses must then be soaked in a fresh batch of disinfecting solution for the manufacturer’s recommended duration, usually a minimum of six hours or overnight.
Lens Case Care
It is important to clean the lens case with fresh solution, discard the old solution, and let the case air-dry upside down between uses. Ideally, the case should be replaced entirely after a contamination event.
Recognizing Signs of Eye Infection
Following accidental water exposure, monitoring your eyes for signs of infection is necessary. Symptoms of a potential problem, such as keratitis, can appear within a few days to a few weeks. Be watchful for persistent eye redness that does not clear up quickly or pain that seems disproportionate to the initial irritation.
Other common indicators of an infection include blurred vision, excessive tearing, or unusual sensitivity to light. A sensation that something is constantly in the eye or the presence of discharge also warrants prompt attention. If you notice any of these symptoms, remove your contact lenses immediately and consult an eye care professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.