Realizing you need to remove your contact lenses without a proper case or solution for storage can be frustrating. While a sterile contact lens case is always the recommended tool, temporary alternatives can protect your lenses and eyes in an emergency. These measures are strictly for immediate, short-term situations and must never become part of your regular lens care routine. The following guidelines provide practical steps for safely housing your lenses until you can acquire a proper case and fresh solution.
Safe, Temporary Container Alternatives
The physical container you choose must be non-porous and capable of being thoroughly cleaned to minimize contamination risk. Glass containers, such as small shot glasses, are often the best makeshift option because glass is non-porous and easier to sanitize than plastic. Look for two separate, small vessels to avoid mixing up your left and right lenses.
Before using any alternative container, it is necessary to clean it rigorously. Wash the container with hot water and soap, scrubbing all surfaces, and then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Following the wash, the container should be rinsed with boiling water or allowed to air dry completely on a clean surface.
If glass is unavailable, a pair of new, unused beverage bottle caps or a small, clean, sealable food-grade plastic container, like a condiment cup, can serve as a last resort. The container must seal tightly to prevent the specialized storage solution from evaporating. Evaporation would cause the lenses to dry out and become permanently damaged. Any temporary container should be immediately discarded once you have purchased a proper, sterile contact lens case.
Essential Liquid Requirements and Dangerous Substitutes
The only liquid safe and effective for storing and disinfecting contact lenses is a sterile, commercially produced contact lens solution. This specialized solution contains antimicrobial agents that kill harmful microorganisms. It is also formulated to maintain the delicate hydration and shape of the lens material. Using anything else significantly elevates the risk of severe eye infection.
Common household liquids, even those that seem harmless, are dangerous substitutes and must never be used. Tap water, bottled water, or distilled water all contain microorganisms and minerals that can bind to the lens and cause irritation or infection. Tap water specifically poses a significant risk of causing Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but potentially blinding infection caused by a microscopic amoeba found in water sources.
Saliva is a high-risk medium for storage because it is full of bacteria that can transfer directly to the contact lens and subsequently to the eye. Homemade saline solutions should be avoided; they are often not sterile, may contain undissolved salt crystals, and will not disinfect the lens or protect the lens surface. If you only find a basic saline solution, it will keep the lens hydrated but lacks necessary disinfecting agents. The lens remains unsafe to wear until properly cleaned with a disinfecting solution.
Critical Eye Health Warnings for Emergency Storage
Storing lenses in a non-approved container, even with the correct solution, increases the risk of contamination. Therefore, temporary storage should not exceed 24 hours. Ideally, the lenses should be moved to a proper case and fresh solution much sooner. If temporary storage lasts longer than a single night, the lenses must be cleaned and disinfected with fresh solution for the recommended soaking time before being placed back in the eye.
Before reinserting a lens from emergency storage, perform a careful inspection. Visually check the lens for debris, cloudiness, or structural damage. Note any unusual odor, which can indicate microbial growth. If the lens appears damaged or contaminated, it must be discarded immediately to protect your eye health.
If you wear the temporarily stored lenses and experience symptoms such as persistent redness, pain, blurred vision, or increased light sensitivity, remove the lenses right away. These symptoms can signal an eye infection, and you should seek immediate medical attention from an eye care professional. To prevent future emergencies, purchase a travel-sized contact lens case and solution as soon as possible.