Contact lenses must remain hydrated and disinfected to maintain their integrity and protect eye health. The specialized solution is a carefully balanced formula designed to clean, hydrate, and kill harmful microorganisms. Running out of this solution presents an immediate problem, as improper storage can lead to serious eye complications or lens damage. The safest approach is always to use a designated contact lens disinfecting solution, but in an emergency, quick, temporary measures can prevent the lenses from drying out until a proper solution can be acquired.
Immediate Decision: Should You Remove the Lenses?
If you anticipate being without the proper storage solution for more than a few hours, the safest course of action is to remove the lenses immediately. Overwearing contact lenses, especially past the recommended daily limit, significantly increases the risk of complications such as corneal hypoxia, which is a lack of oxygen to the cornea. This oxygen deprivation can cause eye irritation, dryness, and in severe cases, lead to the growth of blood vessels onto the cornea. Wearing lenses for an extended period or sleeping in them creates a breeding ground for bacteria and protein deposits on the lens surface. These deposits can cause inflammation and lead to infections like microbial keratitis or corneal ulcers, potentially resulting in permanent vision loss. If you have access to glasses, switching to them and discarding the lenses is the most hygienic option when proper storage is unavailable.
Safe Temporary Storage Alternatives
If you must remove your lenses and cannot immediately discard them, the goal of temporary storage is hydration, not disinfection. The only acceptable short-term substitute for keeping lenses moist is sterile saline solution. Saline is a balanced salt solution that prevents soft lenses from drying out and changing shape, but it contains no cleaning or disinfecting agents and will not kill bacteria or fungi. Preservative-free saline nasal spray may function as a temporary hydrating agent, but only if it is confirmed to be sterile and free of preservatives. Bottled water should be avoided, as it is not sterile and carries a risk of microbial contamination. Any temporary storage method should only be used for a few hours until a proper disinfecting solution can be purchased.
Critical Substitutes to Avoid
Many common household liquids are extremely dangerous to use for contact lens storage and must be avoided. The most significant risk comes from tap water, which should never be used to rinse or store contact lenses. Tap water, along with other water sources like bottled water, often contains a microscopic organism called Acanthamoeba. If Acanthamoeba is introduced to the eye via a contaminated contact lens, it can cause a rare but devastating infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection is painful, difficult to treat, and can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. Beyond this specific risk, water can cause soft contact lenses to absorb water and swell, which can alter the lens shape, making them uncomfortable or damaging to the cornea. Distilled water is also not sterile and still poses a microbial threat.
Other household items are also highly detrimental to lens and eye health:
- Saliva contains millions of bacteria that can cause severe eye infections.
- Vinegar lacks the necessary disinfecting properties and can damage the lens material.
- Homemade saltwater solutions introduce contaminants.
- Non-contact-lens eye drops lack disinfecting properties.
Reconditioning Lenses After Emergency Storage
After using any temporary storage method, the lenses must be thoroughly reconditioned before being worn again. Acquire a fresh, full-strength multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solution. The lenses must be transferred to a clean case and soaked in this new solution for the minimum time specified on the product packaging, which is typically six to eight hours or overnight. This extended soak is necessary to kill any bacteria or contaminants the lenses may have picked up during the emergency storage. Following disinfection, inspect the lenses for any visible damage, such as tears, discoloration, or warping. If the lens feels uncomfortable upon reinsertion, or if they were stored in a highly dubious substance, it is safest to discard them entirely and use a fresh pair.