Your contact lenses make your life easier in many ways, allowing you to see clearly and take part in an array of activities without the hassle of bulky eyeglasses. Since they come into direct contact with your eyes, however, they require special cleaning and care to avoid infection and irritation. When it comes to showering with contact lenses, heed the following advice to protect your eyes and your contacts. 

Why Showering With Contact Lenses Is a Bad Idea

Tap water used for showering contains chemicals like chlorine, an irritant that causes redness, itching, and tears. What’s more, this water may also hold bacteria and fungi, which can increase your risk for uncomfortable and potentially dangerous infections.

Your contact lenses act like small sponges and easily absorb water. This means that the liquid doesn’t even need to enter your eyes directly when showering to suffer consequences. Lenses can absorb waterborne chemicals via the humidity in the air.

Thanks to the sponge-like quality of contact lenses—especially that of softer models—contact with water can cause them to swell or change shape. This can cause discomfort and possibly scratch the cornea of the eye, leading to more pain.

What to Do With Lenses When Showering

Before you get in the shower, always remove your contact lenses. Place them in a clean container with storage solution and put them back in when you’re done. If you do slip up and shower with them in, monitor your condition. If you notice irritation, redness, or blurred vision, consult an eye doctor as soon as possible.

When residents of Fairfield, OH, need eye care, they look to Staarmann Family Vision Center. Each member of their highly respected team has a distinct specialty. Dr. Michelle Staarmann focuses on children’s vision care, while Dr. M. Timothy Staarmann specializes in contact lenses and post-operative cornea care, and Dr. Jessica Dobson Wood works in ocular disease management. Together, they provide comprehensive vision care services for all ages. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling (513) 874-1718.