Whether to rinse contact lenses before insertion is a fundamental concern for safe lens wear. Although lenses soak in disinfecting solution overnight, placing them directly onto the eye without an additional step introduces unnecessary risks. Proper rinsing is a foundational safety measure that minimizes exposure to potential irritants and microbes. Ignoring this simple hygiene practice can significantly increase the likelihood of developing painful and potentially sight-threatening eye conditions.
The Essential Rinsing Protocol
Inserting a contact lens requires a strict, multi-step process that begins with immaculate hand hygiene. Before touching any lens, hands must be washed thoroughly with plain soap and dried completely with a clean, lint-free towel. This action prevents the transfer of contaminants, oils, and bacteria from the hands to the lens.
The lens must then be removed from the storage case and rinsed using only fresh, sterile contact lens solution. It is crucial to discard the solution the lens was soaking in, as it is no longer sterile and contains the debris and microbes removed overnight. A highly recommended technique involves placing the lens in the palm, adding fresh solution, and gently rubbing the surface with a finger for several seconds before rinsing again. This mechanical action helps dislodge any remaining deposits before the lens is ready for safe insertion.
Why Proper Rinsing Prevents Eye Infections
The necessity of rinsing is rooted in three principles aimed at protecting the cornea.
Removing Particulate Matter
A final rinse removes loose particulate matter such as dust, lint, and allergens that may have settled on the lens during handling or storage. While disinfecting solutions kill microbes, they do not physically remove all debris that could cause irritation upon insertion.
Eliminating Residual Chemicals
Disinfecting solutions contain preservatives and biocides designed to kill microorganisms, but these can cause irritation or stinging if not rinsed off. A final wash with a sterile saline or multipurpose solution ensures the cornea is not exposed to residual concentrations of these cleaning agents. Rinsing also helps re-hydrate the lens surface, ensuring it is optimally lubricated for comfortable wear.
Disrupting Microbes
Rinsing helps disrupt any microbial populations or biofilms that may have survived the disinfection cycle or attached to the lens case. Although storage solution sterilizes, a final physical rinse helps wash away any lingering microorganisms. This step significantly reduces the overall microbial load that comes into direct contact with the eye’s sensitive surface.
Solutions You Should Never Use
Substituting approved sterile solutions with alternatives is a risky error in contact lens care. Tap water, whether filtered or unfiltered, must never be used to rinse or store contact lenses or their cases. Tap water contains microorganisms, most notably Acanthamoeba, which can cause a devastating eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis.
This amoeba can attach to the soft lens material and become trapped against the cornea, leading to intense pain, inflammation, and potential blindness. Similarly, saliva is highly contaminated with oral bacteria and should never be used to moisten a lens, as it introduces pathogens directly onto the lens surface. The solution used for overnight storage should always be poured out and replaced with fresh, sterile solution for the next use. Reusing or “topping off” old solution reduces its disinfecting power and allows surviving microbes to flourish, increasing the risk of serious eye infection.