Contact lens solution is a specialized medical product formulated to maintain the health and safety of reusable contact lenses. Its composition is designed to clean, disinfect, and hydrate the lenses while mimicking the eye’s natural environment. When a proper solution is unavailable, eye health can be jeopardized because the lenses cannot be effectively stripped of microbes and protein buildup. Any alternative discussed here must be understood as a temporary measure to prevent the lens from drying out and carries an inherent risk to the eye.
Immediate Safe Substitutes for Rinsing
If a lens needs immediate attention to remove it from the eye or prevent it from drying, two temporary alternatives can be used for rinsing only. The first option is sterile, preservative-free saline solution, a simple, pH-balanced saltwater preparation. This solution is isotonic with the eye’s natural tears, making it suitable for contact with the lens and the eye. Saline’s role is strictly limited to rinsing or moistening; it contains no agents capable of killing bacteria or other infectious organisms.
The second acceptable option is preservative-free artificial tears or rewetting drops, often sold in single-use vials. Like saline, these drops are formulated to be gentle and can temporarily rehydrate a dry lens. These substitutes can keep the lens pliable for a few hours until a proper disinfecting solution can be acquired. However, neither sterile saline nor artificial tears should ever be used for cleaning, disinfection, or overnight storage, as they offer no protection against microbial growth.
Dangerous Household Items to Avoid
Many common household liquids are dangerous to use with contact lenses because they lack the necessary sterility and chemical balance. Tap water presents a significant hazard because it can harbor a microscopic organism called Acanthamoeba. This amoeba, commonly found in municipal water supplies, can become trapped under a contact lens and cause a severe, sight-threatening infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection is difficult to treat and can lead to permanent vision loss.
Tap water also contains various minerals and chlorine, which can bind to the porous material of a soft contact lens, causing deposits that lead to eye irritation and discomfort. The osmotic difference between tap water and the lens material can also cause the lens to swell or change shape, which may distort vision or damage the lens. Even distilled water, while mineral-free, is not sterile and still poses a risk of microbial contamination, including Acanthamoeba.
Other common substitutes are also dangerous. Homemade saline made from salt and water cannot be guaranteed to be sterile and may contain impurities. Using saliva to moisten or clean a lens is extremely dangerous because the human mouth contains a dense population of bacteria that can easily cause severe eye infections. Bottled water is also unsuitable for lens care because it is not sterile and can introduce microbes and contaminants to the lens surface.
Mandatory Steps After Emergency Contact Use
If lenses were exposed to any temporary substitute, even sterile saline, they must undergo a complete cleaning and disinfection cycle before being worn again. The first step is to acquire a fresh bottle of multipurpose solution or a hydrogen peroxide system. Once the correct solution is available, the lenses must be manually cleaned using the “rub-and-rinse” method. This involves placing the lens in the palm, adding solution, and gently rubbing the lens surface with a finger for at least ten seconds to physically remove debris and protein buildup.
After manual cleaning, the lenses must be rinsed thoroughly with the fresh solution and placed in a clean lens case filled with new solution. They must then soak for the minimum recommended disinfection time, typically six to eight hours, to ensure all microorganisms are killed. If the lenses were stored in a non-sterile medium like tap water, the risk of infection is too high, and the lenses should be immediately discarded.