Showering with Contacts: What You Need to Know for Healthy Eyes

If you wear contact lenses, you've probably wondered whether it's safe to shower while wearing them. The short answer is: it's best to avoid it. While a quick rinse might seem harmless, showering with contacts in your eyes carries real risks that can lead to serious eye infections and complications. Understanding why—and what to do instead—is essential for protecting your vision.

Why Water and Contact Lenses Don't Mix

Your contact lenses sit directly on your cornea, the clear front surface of your eye. When you expose them to water, you're introducing microorganisms and chemicals that can cause problems.

Tap water contains bacteria and parasites. Even "clean" tap water isn't sterile. It may harbor bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and parasites like Acanthamoeba, which can attach to your lens surface and cause serious infections. These organisms thrive in moist environments—exactly what your contact lens provides.

Chlorine and other chemicals can damage lenses. Shower water often contains chlorine (from municipal treatment) and other chemicals. These can degrade the lens material, making it less comfortable and more prone to tearing. Chlorine can also cause irritation and redness.

Water can dislodge or warp your lenses. The pressure and movement of shower water may knock a lens out of position or even wash it down the drain. Soft lenses can also absorb water, which causes them to swell and become uncomfortable or misshapen.

Your lens solution is not the same as water. Contact lens solution is sterile and specially formulated to maintain lens shape and comfort. Tap water, distilled water, and even bottled water are not safe substitutes and should never be used to rinse or store contacts.

The Real Risk: Acanthamoeba Keratitis

One of the most serious infections linked to water exposure is acanthamoeba keratitis—a rare but potentially sight-threatening infection caused by a single-celled parasite found in water sources.

Acanthamoeba keratitis can cause:
- Severe eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Corneal scarring
- In severe cases, vision loss or blindness

This infection is difficult to treat and may require prolonged antibiotic therapy or, in worst cases, a corneal transplant. Most cases are linked to contact lens wearers who expose their lenses to water—whether from showering, swimming, or using non-sterile solutions.

What About Other Water Exposure?

The risks extend beyond the shower:

Swimming and hot tubs: Never wear contacts in pools, oceans, lakes, or hot tubs. The combination of water exposure and the warm, moist environment of a contact lens creates ideal conditions for infection.

Tap water rinsing: Don't rinse your contacts or lens case with tap water. Always use fresh contact lens solution.

Lens case care: Rinse your lens case with fresh solution—never tap water—and replace the solution daily. Replace your case every three months.

Safe Practices for Contact Lens Wearers

If you shower regularly while wearing contacts, here's what you should do:

Remove your contacts before showering. This is the simplest and safest approach. Take out your lenses before you step into the shower and store them in fresh solution in a clean case.

Keep your lens case clean. Wash your hands before handling your case, and replace the solution daily. Never "top off" old solution—empty the case completely and refill with fresh solution each time.

Use only approved contact lens solution. Never use saline solution, distilled water, tap water, or homemade solutions. These are not sterile and do not contain the preservatives and conditioning agents your lenses need.

Wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. Water and bacteria on your hands can transfer to your lenses.

Replace your lenses on schedule. Follow your eye care provider's replacement schedule—whether daily, weekly, or monthly. Overworn lenses are more susceptible to damage and infection.

Consider daily disposable lenses. If you shower frequently or travel often, daily disposable contacts eliminate the need for storage and cleaning. You simply discard them at the end of the day.

What If Water Gets in Your Eyes While Wearing Contacts?

Accidents happen. If water splashes into your eyes while you're wearing contacts:

1. Remove your contacts immediately if you can do so safely.
2. Rinse your eyes with sterile saline or rewetting drops (not tap water).
3. Clean and store your lenses properly in fresh solution.
4. Monitor your eyes for redness, discomfort, or vision changes over the next few days.
5. Contact your eye care provider if you experience pain, redness, discharge, or blurred vision.

When to See Your Eye Care Provider

If you develop any of these symptoms after water exposure, seek care promptly:
- Eye pain or severe discomfort
- Redness that doesn't improve
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Discharge or tearing
- A feeling that something is in your eye

These could indicate an infection that requires professional treatment.

The Bottom Line

Showering with contact lenses is a risk that's easy to avoid. Removing your contacts before you shower takes just a few seconds and protects you from potentially serious infections. If you wear contacts regularly, make it part of your routine: contacts out, shower, contacts back in.

Your contact lens care habits directly affect your eye health and comfort. By following these safe practices—removing lenses before water exposure, using only approved solutions, and maintaining a clean lens case—you can enjoy the convenience of contacts without compromising your vision.

If you have questions about safe contact lens care or if you're experiencing eye discomfort, talk with your eye care provider. They can answer your specific concerns and help you develop a routine that works for your lifestyle while keeping your eyes healthy.