Being caught without contact lens solution presents a serious dilemma, as eye health and safety must be the priority. This situation demands immediate action and a clear understanding that there is no safe, long-term substitute for commercially manufactured disinfecting solution. The inconvenience of lacking proper supplies should never outweigh the risk of permanent vision damage. It is essential to prioritize safe removal and proper storage to protect the delicate corneal tissue.
Why Tap Water and Saliva Are Dangerous
The widespread use of household liquids like tap water or saliva as a substitute for contact solution is a significant risk factor for severe eye infections. Tap water, even when potable, is not sterile and contains various microorganisms that pose a threat when trapped against the eye’s surface. The primary danger is the microscopic amoeba Acanthamoeba, which can cause a rare but painful condition called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection is difficult to treat and can lead to permanent vision loss.
Beyond biological contaminants, tap water also contains minerals that can bind to the porous material of soft contact lenses, causing deposits that irritate the eye. Furthermore, the osmolarity, or salt concentration, of tap water is significantly different from that of human tears, which can cause soft lenses to swell or shrink, altering their fit and potentially creating microscopic abrasions on the cornea. These tiny breaks provide an entry point for pathogens.
Using saliva is equally hazardous, as the human mouth is home to billions of bacteria and other microbes, including species like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Transferring these non-sterile agents directly onto the lens and then the eye dramatically increases the risk of aggressive bacterial infections, such as bacterial keratitis and corneal ulcers. Even attempting a homemade saline solution by mixing salt and water is dangerous because it is impossible to achieve the required level of sterility, pH balance, and precise concentration necessary for safe lens care.
Immediate Safety Protocol: Remove and Store
The definitive and safest action when proper solution is unavailable is the immediate removal of your contact lenses from your eyes. Wearing lenses that are not properly cleaned or disinfected, or those stored in an unsafe liquid, is a direct pathway to infection and irritation. If you are using daily disposable lenses, the safest choice is to simply discard them after removal.
If your lenses are reusable and discarding them is not an option, the next step is to store them dry in a clean, airtight container as a temporary, last-resort measure. A thoroughly cleaned shot glass, a new bottle cap, or a similar non-porous vessel can serve as an emergency container. The logic behind dry storage is that it prevents the lenses from being exposed to the dangerous pathogens found in non-sterile liquids.
Keep the lenses separated and clearly marked, such as “Left” and “Right,” to prevent mixing them up, and ensure the container is covered to prevent contamination. If sterile saline solution or rewetting drops are the only sterile liquids available, these can be used to hydrate the lenses temporarily. However, neither of these products is formulated to kill harmful microorganisms, meaning the lenses are still not safe for insertion without proper disinfection.
Proper Lens Recovery After the Emergency
Once you have access to a fresh bottle of approved contact lens disinfecting solution, the recovery process must begin immediately, especially if the lenses were stored dry or in a non-disinfecting liquid. Lenses that have dried out will be extremely brittle and must be handled with great care, as they can easily crack or tear. Before soaking, visually inspect the lenses for any tears, splits, or obvious warpage that may have occurred during the drying process.
If the lens appears intact, place it into a clean lens case filled with fresh, multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide-based disinfecting solution. The lens must soak for the minimum disinfection time specified by the solution manufacturer. This soaking period is non-negotiable, as it is the only way to ensure any acquired microorganisms are fully neutralized.
Before reinserting the recovered lenses, you must perform the rub-and-rinse step using the fresh solution, even if your product is a “no-rub” formula. If the lens causes any discomfort, irritation, or blurred vision upon insertion, remove and discard it immediately. This indicates a potential micro-tear or permanent parameter change that could damage your eye, and the lens should be replaced with a new pair.