Why can't I use tap water with my contact lenses?

There are certain pairings of things that simply do not mix well together; water and oil, orange juice and toothpaste, scotch and water, bathtubs and toasters, and tap water and contact lenses!

Washing contact lenses in tap water poses an increased risk of a very serious, sight-threatening eye infection. This is caused by a microorganism called acanthamoeba which is found in many sources of water, including tap water, fresh water, bottled water, spas, pools and even showers.^{1, 2} These types of infections are painful, difficult to treat and complications can lead to permanent vision loss.

What can you do to reduce your risk of an acanthamoeba infection? ^{1, 2}

• DO NOT rinse your contact lenses or your contact lens case with water
• DO NOT store your lenses in water
• DO NOT swim or shower in your contact lenses

When wearing contact lenses it is important to always follow the recommended wear and care instructions of your optometrist. If you need to rinse your contact lenses, use saline solution – a sterile alternative made for the express purpose of safely rinsing your contact lens.

A safe and simple way of cleaning and disinfecting your lenses is with a peroxide cleaner, such as AOSept Hydraglyde.³ Over the course of a 6 hour period, the catalyst in the case converts the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas, meaning that there is no need to rinse the lenses after! The peroxide cleaner is the best daily cleaner we have to prevent acanthamoeba infections.²

References

1. Arschad, M. Carnt, N. Tan, J. Ekkeshis, I. Stapleton, F. (2019). “Water Exposure and the Risk of Contact Lens - Related Disease”. Cornea. 38(6): 791-797.
2. Carnt, N. Stapleton, F. (2015). “Strategies for the prevention of contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review”. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 36(2): 77-92.
3. Sweeney, D. Holden, B., Evans, K. Ng, V. Cho, P. (2009). Best practice contact lens care: A review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 92: 78–89. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.2009.00353.