Why water is the problem
Tap water, pool water, and natural water aren’t sterile. The FDA advises never exposing contact lenses to any water: tap, bottled, distilled, lake, or ocean water. Tap and distilled water have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment.[1]
Scleral lenses have a specific reason for care. A report on three cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis in scleral lens wearers pointed out that the space between the cornea and the back of the lens might act as a fluid reservoir in which the organism could multiply.[4] Anything that gets into that reservoir sits against your cornea for hours.
Swimming and hot tubs
Take your lenses out before you swim. The FDA warns of a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean.[1] The FDA makes no exception for goggles or keeping your eyes closed.
If you need clear vision in the water, ask your fitter about options. For sports in general, the FDA suggests asking your eye care professional whether to wear glasses or contacts.[3]
Showers, baths, and washing your face
The easiest rule is to keep the lenses out whenever water is near your eyes:
- Shower and wash your hair before you insert your lenses in the morning, or after you remove them at night.
- Wash your face before insertion or after removal.
- Dry your face and hands completely before you handle a lens.
If water gets on your lens
Accidents happen: a splash at the sink, rain in your face, a dunk in the pool. Here’s what to do.
- Take the lens out as soon as you can, with clean, dry hands.
- Clean it fully. Rub with your daily cleaner and rinse with sterile solution. Never rinse with tap water.[2]
- Disinfect it in fresh solution in a clean case, for the full time on the label.[2]
- Refill with fresh saline from a new vial before it goes back in.
- Wear your glasses in the meantime.
A saline rinse alone isn’t enough. Saline rinses; it doesn’t disinfect.[2]
The case and tools, too
The water rule covers everything that touches your lenses. Don’t rinse your case, inserter, or plunger with water. Use fresh solution and let them air-dry.[2] See lens cases and inserters and removers.
Common mistakes
- Swimming in your lenses because you'll keep your eyes closed.
- Showering with lenses in.
- Rinsing a lens under the tap after it touched water.
- Putting a lens back in after a quick saline rinse.
- Ignoring a red or sore eye in the days after water exposure.
Common questions
Can I swim with my scleral lenses if I wear goggles?
The FDA's advice is to remove contact lenses before swimming. If you need to see clearly in the water, ask your fitter about options such as prescription goggles.
Is a quick shower in my lenses really a problem?
The FDA advises against exposing contact lenses to any water. Showering with lenses out is the simplest way to avoid that.
Water splashed in my eye. Do I have to take the lens out?
Yes, take it out, then clean and disinfect it fully before wearing it again. Water can carry organisms that saline won't remove.
What about saunas and steam rooms?
There's no specific guidance we can point to. The concern is water reaching the lens, so ask your fitter what they'd prefer you do.
I swam in my lenses and my eye feels fine. Should I worry?
Take the lenses out, clean and disinfect them, and watch your eye over the next few days. If you notice redness, pain, light sensitivity, or blurry vision, remove the lenses and call your eye care professional.