When contact lens solution is unavailable, the immediate priority is eye health. Temporary measures can keep lenses hydrated, but they are not a substitute for proper cleaning and disinfection. Lenses require a sterile environment to prevent serious ocular infections. The goal is to safely store the lenses until a commercial disinfecting solution can be obtained, minimizing microbial contamination.
Immediate Temporary Storage Options
The safest temporary substance for contact lens storage is commercially available, sterile saline solution. Saline is a pH-balanced mixture of salt and water designed to hydrate the lens and prevent it from drying out. However, saline solution is only a rinsing or storage agent. It contains no disinfecting agents and will not kill harmful bacteria or fungi.
In an emergency, sterile saline nasal spray can be used if it is a plain, non-medicated, and sterile product. As an absolute last resort for short-term hydration, sterile or bottled distilled water may be considered. However, this carries a higher risk than sterile saline and requires rigorous disinfection afterward.
Temporary storage options, including sterile saline, should only be used briefly until a multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solution is acquired. After temporary storage, lenses are still contaminated with bacteria, protein deposits, and debris. Multi-purpose solutions contain surfactants and chemical disinfectants designed to clean and sterilize the lens surface. Saline cannot replicate this cleaning process.
Substances to Never Use
Certain household liquids must never be used for contact lens storage, even in an emergency, due to the severe threat they pose to eye health. The most dangerous substitute is tap water, which contains microorganisms that can cause blinding infections. Tap water is a known source of the microscopic organism Acanthamoeba, which causes a devastating corneal infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis.
This amoeba adheres to the lens surface, leading to an infection that is difficult to treat and can result in permanent vision loss. The risk is not limited to tap water; all non-sterile water sources can harbor these dangerous pathogens. This includes bottled water, well water, and distilled water that has not been boiled and cooled. The lens traps these organisms against the corneal tissue, allowing the infection to take hold.
Saliva is another absolute “no-go” due to its extremely high bacterial load, which is highly pathogenic in the eye. Creating a homemade solution using salt and water is strongly discouraged. It is impossible to guarantee proper sterility and the correct pH balance outside of a laboratory setting. Using non-sterile, homemade liquids significantly increases the risk of bacterial keratitis.
Essential Steps After Temporary Storage
Once a proper, commercial disinfecting solution is secured, immediate action is necessary to sterilize the temporarily stored lenses. Transfer the lenses to a clean case and completely submerge them in a fresh, multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide solution. Allow them to soak for the minimum recommended disinfection time, typically six to eight hours, or as specified by the manufacturer.
After the thorough disinfection soak, visually inspect the lenses for any signs of damage, residue, or cloudiness before wearing them. If the lenses were stored in a highly risky substance, such as tap water or saliva, discard them immediately. No amount of disinfection can guarantee the elimination of resilient pathogens like Acanthamoeba once the lens material is contaminated.
If you experience symptoms like eye pain, excessive redness, blurred vision, or increased sensitivity to light, remove the lenses immediately. Seek consultation with an eye care professional, as these symptoms indicate a serious infection requiring prompt medical intervention. Maintaining a fresh supply of solution and replacing your lens case every three months minimizes the chance of this emergency occurring.