Updated: January 19, 2026
No, you should not place contact lenses in water. Tap water, bottled water, and natural bodies of water can contain microorganisms that may stick to lenses and increase the risk of serious eye infections. Water can also change how a lens fits and feels, making it more likely to irritate your eye or become harder to remove.
Dos:
- Use only the disinfecting solution recommended for your lens type, and replace it with fresh solution each time.
- Keep lenses sealed in their original blister packs until use, and store lens products according to label directions.
- If water contacts your lenses, discard daily disposables or clean and disinfect reusable lenses before wearing them again.
Don’ts:
- Don’t rinse, store, or soak lenses in water, and don’t use water to “top off” your contact lens case.
- Don’t swim, shower, or use a hot tub while wearing contacts whenever possible.
- Don’t keep wearing contacts if you have pain, increasing redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurry vision.
Keeping contact lenses away from water is a key safety rule that helps reduce irritation and lowers the risk of severe infection.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
Healthy Habits: Keeping Water Away from Contact Lenses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/about/healthy-habits-keeping-water-away-from-contact-lenses.html. Updated May 27, 2025.
Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/prevention/index.html. Updated May 27, 2025.
Contact Lenses. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/contact-lenses. Published October 28, 2019.
