Why contact lenses should stay out of water
Swimming, showering and soaking in a hot tub expose lenses to water that is not a lens disinfectant.
A little context: this note is for adults with mild symptoms. Pregnancy, long-term conditions, or reduced immunity can change what is safe. Ask a professional if you’re unsure.
Let’s start here
Swimming, showering and soaking in a hot tub expose lenses to water that is not a lens disinfectant. Plan lens removal before the activity begins.
A few small things to try
- Remove lenses before water activities
- Plan a suitable vision alternative
- Get advice after accidental water exposure
Make the safe routine practical
Take lenses out before entering the water and use glasses when appropriate. If you need vision correction for swimming, discuss suitable prescription goggles with an eye professional. Closing your eyes in the shower does not turn lens wear into a reliable water-avoidance strategy.
Follow-through and limits
If water reaches your lenses, remove them as soon as you can with clean dry hands and ask your eye professional how to handle them; disposable lenses can be discarded. Follow the prescribed disinfection process for reusable lenses as advised. Seek urgent care for any pain, redness or altered vision afterward.
Contact lenses are medical devices. Follow your eye professional’s wear schedule and the exact cleaning system instructions, including any full disinfection time. Keep backup glasses available so taking lenses out is practical. Never use water or saliva to clean or store a lens.
A couple of things to skip
- Do not sleep in lenses unless specifically prescribed, or wear them in water.
- Do not share lenses, top up old solution or extend a replacement schedule.
When to ask for help
Remove lenses and seek urgent eye advice for redness, pain, unusual watering, discharge, light sensitivity or blurred vision. Do not put them back in while waiting for advice. Sudden loss of vision, severe pain or an eye injury needs emergency assessment.
If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, use your local emergency service. A little more on getting help.
A little further reading
These links provide background and further reading. Citing an organization does not mean it endorses Wellnote or has reviewed this article. Content is AI-assisted and has not received independent clinical review. How these notes come together.
take good care of yourself. ♡