A sudden blur in your vision from a contact lens can be alarming, especially when you do not have your usual cleaning solution nearby. This blur is often caused by debris or a lack of hydration, which can lead to discomfort and potential eye irritation. The methods described here are intended as temporary, emergency solutions only and are not substitutes for proper daily lens care. They focus on restoring temporary clarity until you can properly clean and disinfect your lenses.
Quick Fixes Without Removal
The fastest way to address minor blurriness is to try to clear the lens while it is still on your eye, provided there is no severe pain or redness. Increasing the natural tear film’s lubrication can often dislodge small particles or rehydrate the lens surface. If you have sterile rewetting drops, also known as artificial tears, applying a few drops can quickly restore hydration to the lens and the eye’s surface.
A controlled blinking sequence can help redistribute the tear film and clean the lens without manual contact. Close your eyes slowly and gently, pause for a moment, and then open them, repeating this motion several times to encourage the lens to shift slightly and clear any surface film. Before attempting any manipulation near your eye, you must thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This step is non-negotiable to prevent introducing bacteria from your hands onto the lens or into your eye.
Emergency Rinsing Options
If the lens remains blurry or uncomfortable, you must remove it to inspect and rinse it, even without a proper solution. Once removed, the safest available substitute for contact lens solution is a sterile, unpreserved saline solution, which is sometimes sold for wound washing or nasal rinsing. This type of saline is balanced to match the eye’s natural salt content and can rinse away debris without damaging the lens material.
When no sterile saline is available, purified bottled water or distilled water may be used to briefly rinse the lens only, but this carries a significant risk. Water lacks the necessary disinfectants and tonicity to maintain the lens shape and kill microorganisms. After a water rinse, the lens must be discarded immediately, as it cannot be safely re-inserted or stored without proper disinfection.
Never use tap water, saliva, or any homemade saline solutions to rinse or store contact lenses. Tap water, along with water from pools or showers, contains the organism Acanthamoeba. If this amoeba comes into contact with the lens, it can adhere to the surface and cause a severe, sight-threatening infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection can be extremely painful and may lead to permanent vision loss, emphasizing why water-based rinsing is a dangerous practice.
Urgent Safety Warnings
Knowing when to stop attempting home fixes and seek professional help is important. If you experience persistent eye pain, stinging, or a burning sensation that does not subside shortly after removing the lens, it may indicate a corneal abrasion or infection. Extreme sensitivity to light, known as photophobia, is a strong indicator that the eye is inflamed or infected and requires urgent medical attention.
Look for persistent redness that covers the white of the eye or excessive, unexplained tearing, as these are symptoms of underlying irritation or a microbial infection. If the lens itself appears torn, chipped, or scratched, discard it immediately and do not attempt to re-insert it, as its damaged edge can severely scrape the corneal surface. If blurriness persists after the lens has been removed, rinsed, and properly re-inserted with a dedicated solution, the issue may be a medical problem and not just a dirty lens.
Steps for Future Prevention
To avoid being caught without the necessary supplies again, preparation is the most effective strategy. Establish a routine of checking the solution level in your primary lens case before you leave home. Contact lens cases must be replaced regularly, typically every three months, because bacteria and biofilm can accumulate within the plastic.
Emergency Kit Essentials
To form a complete emergency kit, always include:
- A small, travel-sized bottle of contact lens solution in a readily accessible location, such as a purse or backpack.
- A clean, spare lens case.
- A small bottle of rewetting drops.
- A pair of glasses, which allows you to immediately remove and discard a problematic lens without being incapacitated by poor vision.