Realizing you are out of solution with no immediate access to a store is a moment of panic for any contact lens wearer. The sudden need for a safe alternative to clean, rinse, or store your lenses can lead to the dangerous temptation of using household liquids. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a strictly sterile environment for cleaning and storage to protect the delicate surface of your eye. Using the wrong fluid can quickly turn a minor inconvenience into a serious, vision-threatening infection.
Approved Temporary Substitutes for Lens Care
Only a few commercially prepared, sterile liquids are acceptable for use with contact lenses in an emergency, and these substitutes have critical limitations. The most accessible option is sterile, preservative-free saline solution, which matches the salt concentration and pH of natural tears. This solution is only for rinsing the lens or keeping it hydrated; it does not contain the disinfecting agents necessary to kill harmful microorganisms.
Saline prevents lenses from drying out, which would otherwise damage their structure. Saline is a rinsing agent, not a multipurpose solution, and should never be used for overnight storage if a proper disinfectant is available. It serves only as a temporary measure to keep the lens wet until a true multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide solution can be purchased.
Another acceptable option is sterile, preservative-free rewetting or lubricating eye drops. These drops are formulated to be compatible with the lens material and can moisten a dry lens on the eye for comfort. They cannot be used to clean, disinfect, or store lenses in a case, as they lack the necessary components to remove deposits or sterilize the lens surface.
If you must remove your lenses without access to multipurpose solution, sterile saline or rewetting drops are the only temporary options to prevent drying. You should never use these substitutes for more than a brief period. The lenses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a proper solution before being reinserted into the eye.
Serious Risks of Using Water and Other Household Fluids
The temptation to use common household liquids like tap water is extremely dangerous because they are not sterile and contain a host of harmful microorganisms. Tap water, even if potable, is a major source of the parasite Acanthamoeba. This parasite causes Acanthamoeba keratitis, a devastating eye infection. The microscopic amoeba adheres to the contact lens surface and infects the cornea, potentially leading to severe pain, vision loss, and the need for a corneal transplant.
The chemical composition of water is also problematic for soft contact lenses. Tap water has a different osmolarity and pH balance than natural tears, causing the lens to absorb water and swell. This swelling changes the lens shape, affecting its fit and comfort. It can cause the lens to tighten on the eye, leading to microscopic abrasions on the corneal surface that provide an entry point for bacteria and parasites.
Using saliva to wet or clean lenses is equally hazardous, as the human mouth is rich in bacteria and pathogens. Saliva is not sterile and contains microorganisms that cause serious eye infections, such as bacterial keratitis, when transferred to the eye. Placing a lens in your mouth contaminates it with a high concentration of bacteria, turning the lens into a breeding ground for infection.
Attempting to create a homemade saline solution by mixing tap water and salt is profoundly unsafe. It is impossible to sterilize the solution effectively at home, even by boiling the water. Furthermore, the salt-to-water ratio is almost certainly incorrect. An improperly balanced solution lacks the correct pH or osmolarity, causing irritation, stinging, and damage to corneal cells.
What to Do After Emergency Lens Care
After using a temporary substitute, you must take immediate steps to ensure the safety of your eye and lenses.
Disinfecting Safe Substitutes
If you used a safe substitute like sterile saline or rewetting drops, you must acquire a proper multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide solution immediately. The lenses should be thoroughly rubbed and rinsed with the disinfecting solution. Then, store them in fresh solution for the minimum recommended time to ensure complete sterilization before reinserting them.
Discarding Contaminated Lenses
If you used an unsafe liquid, such as tap water, bottled water, or saliva, immediately discard the contaminated lenses. The risk of serious infection from Acanthamoeba or other pathogens is too high to justify attempting to salvage them, even with a strong disinfecting solution. Dispose of contaminated lenses and the solution in the case to prevent further risk.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you experience any symptoms of an eye problem after emergency care, see an eye care professional immediately. Warning signs include persistent redness, pain, blurred vision, excessive light sensitivity, or a feeling that something is in the eye. Do not attempt to self-treat the condition with over-the-counter eye drops.
Preventing Future Emergencies
To prevent future emergencies, always keep a travel-sized bottle of approved multipurpose solution and a clean case in your car, purse, or backpack. Replacing your contact lens case every three months reduces the likelihood of bacterial buildup. Having a backup plan and proper supplies safeguards your vision against the need for risky, temporary fixes.