Finding yourself without proper contact lens solution presents a serious challenge to eye health. Contact lens solution is specifically formulated to clean, disinfect, and maintain the lens’s shape and hydration. No household liquid can safely replicate these functions. While the only truly safe storage method is the correct multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide solution, understanding the dangers of substitutes and the single acceptable emergency alternative is paramount for protecting your vision.
Immediate Dangers: Why Common Household Liquids Are Never Safe
Never use common liquids like tap water, bottled water, or saliva for contact lens storage, as they introduce severe risks of contamination and physical damage. Tap water is not sterile and frequently harbors the microscopic organism Acanthamoeba. If this amoeba contaminates the lens, it can lead to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a devastating eye infection that is difficult to treat and may result in permanent vision loss.
Beyond microbial risks, using any type of water creates a dangerous osmotic imbalance for soft contact lenses. Soft lenses are designed to be isotonic, matching the eye’s natural tears and proper solution. Since water is hypotonic (low in salt), the lens will absorb water and swell, dramatically changing its fit. This swelling can warp the lens, making it uncomfortable or causing it to adhere too tightly to the cornea, which can lead to abrasions.
Saliva is another dangerous substitute, as the human mouth is naturally teeming with bacteria foreign to the eye, including species like Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Introducing these microorganisms directly to the lens significantly increases the risk of severe bacterial keratitis, which can cause corneal ulcers and substantial pain. Neither saliva nor non-sterile water contains the necessary chemical disinfectants or preservatives to neutralize pathogens, essentially turning the lens case into a breeding ground for infection.
Identifying the Only Acceptable Emergency Alternative
The single acceptable alternative for temporary storage is a sterile, non-preserved saline solution or sterile, preservative-free artificial tears. These products are formulated to be isotonic, matching the eye’s natural environment to prevent lens swelling or shrinking. However, these liquids are for hydration and rinsing only; they contain no disinfecting agents and cannot kill the bacteria that accumulate during wear.
Saline solution or sterile eye drops can keep the lens hydrated for a few hours, preventing it from drying out and warping, but they offer zero protection against infection. The lens must be transferred to a proper disinfecting solution as quickly as possible, ideally within four to six hours, to mitigate microbial growth. If neither saline nor sterile drops are available, a last resort is to clean the lenses with any remaining solution and store them dry in a clean case. Dry storage will likely cause the lens to harden and warp, requiring a long rehydration soak or potentially needing to be discarded.
Mandatory Steps After Using a Temporary Substitute
Following any use of a temporary substitute, a decontamination protocol must be completed before the lens is reinserted. Immediately discard any lens that contacted tap water, bottled water, or saliva due to the high risk of Acanthamoeba or severe bacterial contamination. For lenses stored in sterile saline or eye drops, the process begins by thoroughly washing and drying your hands with a lint-free towel.
Next, the lens must be manually cleaned using a fresh multi-purpose solution. Place the lens in the palm of your hand, apply a few drops of solution, and gently rub the lens for the time specified by the manufacturer. This rubbing step is necessary to mechanically dislodge any bacteria, debris, or residual temporary liquid clinging to the lens surface.
After the manual clean, the lens must be submerged in a clean case filled with fresh disinfecting solution for the minimum recommended soak time, typically six hours. This soak ensures that any lingering pathogens are killed and the lens is properly disinfected. Before reinserting, inspect the lens for any signs of damage, warping, or discoloration; if it looks compromised or feels uncomfortable, it must be discarded.