Running out of contact lens solution is highly discouraged due to the severe risks to eye health. Contact lens solution is a specialized medical product, and no household liquid can safely replicate its complex functions. Attempting to use alternatives can introduce harmful microorganisms, damage the lens material, or cause painful corneal injury. This guide focuses on the safest immediate actions to take and what must be avoided to protect your vision.
Immediate Action: Prioritizing Eye Health Over Lens Preservation
The first step when you realize you are out of solution is to remove your contact lenses immediately. Wearing lenses that have been improperly cleaned or stored significantly increases the risk of serious eye infections. If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as unusual eye redness, persistent pain, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light, stop wearing the lenses and seek medical attention from an eye care professional right away. These symptoms can be signs of a rapidly developing infection like keratitis.
If you cannot immediately purchase proper solution, the safest course of action is to discard the lenses entirely, especially if they are nearing the end of their replacement schedule. If you cannot discard the lenses, the only safe temporary storage option is to clean your contact case thoroughly and store the lenses completely dry. Storing lenses dry will likely ruin the lens material, causing them to become brittle and warped, but this is safer for eye health than storing them in a non-sterile liquid. Do not attempt to wear these dried-out lenses again until they have been properly rehydrated and disinfected in fresh, commercial solution.
Why Common Household Liquids Are Never Safe Substitutes
Common household liquids, even those that seem clean, lack the necessary sterility and chemical balance required for contact lens care. Tap water is one of the most dangerous substitutes because it is not sterile and often contains microorganisms. One particularly harmful organism found in tap water is Acanthamoeba, a parasite that can cause a rare but devastating eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection can be painful, difficult to treat, and may lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.
Beyond microorganisms, tap water and bottled water lack the correct salt concentration, or tonicity, to match the eye’s natural environment. Soft contact lenses are hydrogels that absorb whatever liquid they are placed in. Storing them in hypotonic solutions like water causes the lens to swell, altering its shape and fit, which can lead to discomfort and damage to the corneal surface when reinserted.
Saliva contains a high concentration of bacteria, making it an unsanitary choice for cleaning or storing a lens that will sit directly on the cornea. Any attempt to create a homemade saline solution by mixing salt and water is also ill-advised. It is impossible to achieve the precise, sterile balance of commercial solution at home. The resulting mixture will lack the necessary disinfecting agents, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
The Essential Functions of Proper Contact Lens Solution
Commercial contact lens solution is a complex, multi-functional chemical formulation that performs three specialized roles that a simple liquid cannot replicate. The primary function is disinfection, which involves using specific chemical agents to kill harmful bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens that accumulate on the lens. This antimicrobial action prevents the growth of infectious agents that could lead to serious eye complications.
The solution is also formulated for thorough cleaning and rinsing. It contains surfactants that help lift and remove debris from the lens surface. This process eliminates tear film deposits, such as proteins and lipids, which can cloud vision and cause irritation. Finally, a proper solution serves a moisturizing and buffering role, maintaining the lens’s hydration while ensuring the liquid’s pH level is balanced. This formulation mimics natural tears to keep the lenses comfortable and prevent irritation.