The Risks of Using Contact Lenses While Bathing

Contact lenses have become an integral part of life for numerous individuals, with recent statistics indicating that approximately 45 million people rely on them for daily vision correction. Yet, with the convenience of contact lenses comes the responsibility of proper maintenance to avoid potential complications.

Can I Wear My Contact Lenses in The Bathtub?

It's recommended not to wear contact lenses while bathing or engaging in activities involving exposure to non-sterile water sources like showers, bathtubs, swimming pools, saunas, or wells. This precaution stems from the risk posed by acanthamoeba, which is found in these environments and can cause severe eye infections.

What Is Acanthamoeba and How Can It Affect Your Eyes?

Acanthamoeba is a type of amoeba found in soil, dust, and water, including tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, and natural water bodies like lakes and oceans. This microorganism can pose a significant risk to eye health, particularly for contact lens wearers.

When acanthamoeba contaminates contact lenses, it can infect the eye, leading to acanthamoeba keratitis. This condition is an eye infection that affects the cornea, leading to extreme pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and even vision loss in severe cases. The amoeba's ability to form cysts makes it resistant to common treatments, often resulting in prolonged medical care.

How to Protect Your Eyes From Acanthamoeba

Fortunately, there are several preventative measures that contact lens wearers can take to reduce the risk of acanthamoeba infection:

• Do not wear contact lenses while swimming, in hot tubs, showering, or participating in water-related activities.
• If you must wear your lenses in water, use tight-fitting swim goggles to protect your eyes.
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses. 
• Clean your contact lens case with a sterile solution and allow it to air dry. 
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless specifically prescribed by an eye care professional.

What Should I Do If My Contact Lenses Get Exposed to Bathwater?

If your lenses come in contact with bathwater, apply a lubricating drop to ease the lens off your eye. Then, carefully remove the lens using dry hands. The next steps depend on the type of lenses you use: dispose of them if they're disposable, or thoroughly clean and disinfect them if they're reusable. Remember, multipurpose solutions are ineffective against acanthamoeba, so ensure you use an appropriate disinfectant.