Contact Lens Safety: Hygiene, Solutions, and Wear Time

By Lindsey Smith On 9 Jan, 2026 Comments (8)

Every year, about 1 in 1,000 contact lens wearers in the U.S. ends up with a serious eye infection - and most of them didn’t need to. It’s not because the lenses are dangerous. It’s because of how they’re handled. You can see clearly with contacts, but if you skip the basics - washing your hands, using the right solution, or sleeping in them - you’re putting your vision at risk.

Hand Hygiene: The First Line of Defense

Your hands touch everything: doorknobs, phones, your face, your hair. And if you touch your lenses with dirty fingers, you’re bringing bacteria, fungi, or even amoebas straight to your cornea. The CDC and NIH both say handwashing is the single most important step in preventing eye infections.

Don’t just rinse. Don’t use hand sanitizer. Use plain soap and water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds - the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Rinse well, then dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Paper towels work better than cloth ones, which can leave fibers behind.

Studies show only 53% to 77% of contact lens wearers do this properly. That means nearly half the people using contacts are skipping the most basic safety rule. And it’s not just about getting germs on your fingers - it’s about what you do next. If you open your lens case before washing your hands, you’re contaminating clean fingers before they even touch the lens. Always wash first. Then open the case.

Never Use Water - Not Even a Drop

Tap water, bottled water, distilled water, pool water, shower spray - none of it is safe for contact lenses. The FDA has issued multiple warnings about this. Why? Because water can carry Acanthamoeba, a tiny, tough parasite that burrows into the cornea and causes a rare but devastating infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis.

This isn’t just a theoretical risk. In the UK, the rate of this infection is 6 to 8 cases per 10,000 contact lens users - higher than in the U.S. or Asia. Treatment can cost up to $7,500 per person. And even then, you might not fully recover your vision. Some patients need corneal transplants.

If you accidentally get water on your lenses - whether from showering, swimming, or even rain - take them out immediately. Don’t just rinse them with solution. Discard them if they’re daily disposables. If they’re reusable, clean and disinfect them with fresh solution, then wait 24 hours before wearing them again. Better yet: remove your lenses before any water exposure. Always.

Solutions: Not All Are Created Equal

Your lens solution isn’t just a cleaning agent - it’s your disinfectant. Using the wrong one can mean zero protection. Saline solution? That’s just salt water. It doesn’t kill germs. Rewetting drops? They moisturize, they don’t disinfect. Neither should ever replace your multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide solution.

Always use the solution your eye care professional recommends. Not because they’re pushing a brand - because your lenses are made of specific materials that react differently to different chemicals. A solution that works for silicone hydrogel lenses might damage rigid gas permeable ones.

And never top off your solution. That means adding new solution to old solution in the case. It sounds like you’re saving money. But it’s actually reducing disinfection power by 30% to 50%. The CDC says this is one of the top reasons infections happen. Always empty the case, rinse it with fresh solution, then refill with new solution every single time.

A contact lens infected with glowing biofilm as a parasite crawls on the eye in dark room.

Case Care: The Hidden Danger Zone

Your lens case is a breeding ground. It’s damp, dark, and full of biofilm - a slimy layer of microbes that cling to plastic. Even if you rinse it with solution, if you don’t let it dry properly, bacteria multiply.

Replace your case every three months. If you’re prone to infections or wear lenses daily, replace it every month. Rinse it with solution after each use - never water. Then leave it open, upside down, on a clean tissue. Let it air dry overnight. A closed, wet case is a germ hotel.

Some people think buying a fancy case with antimicrobial coating makes a difference. It doesn’t. The only proven way to prevent contamination is consistent cleaning and timely replacement. No shortcuts.

Wear Time: When to Take Them Out

You’ve heard it before: don’t sleep in your contacts. But how many people actually do? Studies show 40% to 50% of wearers sleep in lenses not approved for overnight use. That’s a huge risk.

Only 10% to 15% of contact lenses are FDA-approved for extended wear. Even then, your eyes still need a break. Sleeping in lenses cuts off oxygen to your cornea, making it easier for infections to take hold. And if you’ve been wearing them for 12 hours, don’t push it to 16 just because you’re tired.

Follow your replacement schedule exactly. Daily disposables? Throw them out at the end of the day. Biweekly? Replace them every 14 days, no exceptions. Monthly? Same thing. Wearing them past their date doesn’t just make them less comfortable - it increases your risk of infection by up to 5 times.

And if you’re under 25? You’re in the highest-risk group. The FDA reports 85% of contact lens complications happen in people aged 18 to 24. That’s not because you’re careless - it’s because you’re busy, tired, or think it won’t happen to you. But it does.

Why Daily Disposables Are Changing the Game

The market for contact lenses has shifted dramatically. In 2018, only 45% of U.S. wearers used daily disposables. By 2023, that number jumped to 65%. Why? Because they eliminate storage, cleaning, and case contamination - the three biggest sources of infection.

With daily disposables, you start fresh every morning. No solution needed. No case to clean. No risk of biofilm buildup. Just open a new pair, wear them all day, toss them. Simple. Safer. And surprisingly, not much more expensive than monthly lenses when you factor in solution and case costs.

If you’ve been struggling with dry eyes, irritation, or repeated infections, switching to daily disposables might be the easiest fix you’ve ever made.

A pristine daily contact lens floating beside a decayed case, sunrise in background.

What’s Coming Next

Science is catching up. New lens materials in clinical trials show a 70% reduction in bacterial adhesion compared to traditional lenses. That means future lenses might naturally resist germs. But don’t wait for them. Even the best lens won’t save you if you use tap water or sleep in them.

Right now, the biggest barrier to safety isn’t technology - it’s behavior. Education hasn’t kept up. Most people get their first pair from a vending machine or online without proper training. That’s why compliance rates are stuck at 50% to 77%.

The CDC says infection rates won’t drop until people start treating their lenses like medical devices - not accessories. And they’re right.

Quick Checklist for Safe Contact Lens Use

Wash hands with soap and water for 20+ seconds before touching lenses
Never use water - ever - to rinse lenses or cases
Use only the solution recommended by your eye care provider
Never top off solution - always use fresh
Replace your lens case every 3 months (or every month if you’re prone to infections)
Always remove lenses before showering, swimming, or sleeping
Follow your replacement schedule - no extensions
Throw away daily disposables at the end of the day

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reuse daily disposable contact lenses?

No. Daily disposables are designed for single use only. Reusing them, even for a few hours, increases the risk of infection, discomfort, and corneal damage. They’re thinner and more fragile than monthly lenses, so cleaning them doesn’t restore their integrity. Always throw them away after one day.

Is it safe to swim with contact lenses?

No. Swimming with contacts - even in a pool - increases your risk of eye infection by 10 to 15 times. Water contains bacteria, chlorine, and other microbes that can cling to your lenses. If you must swim with them, wear waterproof goggles. Afterward, remove and disinfect your lenses, or throw them out if they’re daily disposables.

Why does my eye feel dry even with rewetting drops?

Rewetting drops only add moisture - they don’t fix the root problem. If your lenses are old, dirty, or not designed for your tear film, your eyes will feel dry. Switching to daily disposables or a different lens material can help. Also, make sure you’re not wearing them longer than recommended. Dryness is often a sign your eyes are under stress.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide solution without a neutralizing case?

Absolutely not. Hydrogen peroxide solutions require a special case with a platinum disc that neutralizes the solution over 4 to 6 hours. If you pour it directly on your lens or skip the case, you risk severe chemical burns to your eye. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

How do I know if I have an eye infection from contacts?

Signs include redness, pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a feeling like something’s stuck in your eye. If you have any of these, take your lenses out immediately and call your eye doctor. Don’t wait. A corneal ulcer can develop in less than 24 hours. Early treatment saves vision.