Maybe you’re on an overnight getaway when you realize you’re out of contact lens solution. Our team at Total Vision Encinitas knows that being without the right storage solution late at night can put your eyes in a tough spot. You might be wondering exactly what you should do.
If you run out of contact lens liquid, the safest option is often to discard your current lenses and wear backup glasses the next day. Using other liquids can increase the risk of introducing harmful bacteria. If you’re out of solution, play it safe. You can always get more solution from a local pharmacy or start a new pair in the morning.
The Purpose of Contact Lens Solution
Practicing proper contact lens care with storage liquids does more than just keep your contacts wet. The formula is designed to help reduce proteins that build up during a long day of wear.
Contact lens solution helps maintain lens hydration and comfort. The moisture acts like a shield against dust and airborne dirt. Soaking your contacts overnight prepares them for comfortable lens wear the following day.
Alternative Liquids to Skip
Tap Water and Bottled Water
Tap water contains microscopic minerals and bacteria that can attach themselves to contact lenses. Storing your lenses in a cup of water, even for a single night, can distort the lens’s shape. This is because soft contact lenses absorb water, sort of like a sponge.
This absorption causes the contact to swell and lose its smooth edges, so it won’t fit properly against the surface of your eye. A poor fit can bring painful scratching and blurred vision.
Saline and Eye Drops
Plain saline can wash away loose dirt, but it doesn’t have the ingredients to disinfect your contacts. Saline acts like a simple rinse rather than a deep clean. Harmful germs can survive easily in a plain saline bath.
Lubricating drops add moisture to dry eye during the day. However, they do not belong in a storage case overnight. They can’t kill the dangerous bacteria that grow on used contact lenses, either.
Homemade Formulas and Saliva
It’s not a good idea to try to make a homemade contact lens solution. For example, mixing salt and water in your kitchen creates an unsterile liquid. Homemade formulas carry germs straight from your sink to your sensitive eyes.
You also face serious risks if you use saliva to wet a dry lens because the human mouth holds thousands of bacteria that have the potential to damage eye tissue. Transferring saliva to a contact lens carries the risk of infections that can lead to a painful corneal ulcer.
Signs of Unsterile Lens Storage
Wearing improperly stored contacts can harm your eyes. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to talk to an eye doctor right away:
- Noticeable redness spreading across the whites of your eyes
- Painful irritation or sharp stinging sensations when blinking
- Cloudy or blurry vision throughout the day
- Heavy watering or swollen eyelids
Safe Steps When Without Solution
Glasses as a Backup
Throwing away your current pair of contacts remains the safest choice when you lack proper storage liquids. You can simply open a new pack the next morning.
We recommend wearing your backup glasses for a day while your eyes rest, and while you look for more solution. This is why keeping a pair of up-to-date glasses nearby is a good idea, as it helps you handle sudden contact lens problems.
Approved Pharmacy Products
You might find a family member or friend who uses the same brand of sterile liquid. A quick drive to a local pharmacy that stays open late also solves the problem safely. Many convenience stores carry small travel bottles in their health aisles.
Reading the label helps before making a purchase. The formula inside works properly when it’s compatible with your specific type of contact lenses (especially soft vs. rigid lenses). Proper matching helps keep your contacts clean and comfortable.
Ways to Prepare for Future Shortages
Travel Kits and Extras
Keeping a small travel kit in your car or desk helps you avoid storage emergencies. Even a small bottle is a good idea to have, and it fits easily into a purse or backpack. Having extra supplies helps you manage unexpected delays or forgotten items.
Cases get dirty over time and need to be replaced regularly. You should always pack your backup glasses when leaving home for the night.
Daily Disposable Options
Switching to daily disposable contacts removes the storage problem completely. You put in a fresh pair every morning and throw them away each night, so you don’t need bulky bottles or dirty cases.
You can ask our eye doctor in Encinitas about trying different daily brands. Our team at Total Vision Encinitas can help you find a comfortable daily option for your lifestyle.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam
Taking care of your eyes means using the right tools and products every single day. Our dedicated staff at Total Vision Encinitas can provide guidance on safe contact lens habits for your whole family. You can schedule a visit today to check your prescription and explore fresh lens options.
