Anyone in the club of bad eyesight, like I am, knows that there’s a lot to consider when it comes to contact lenses or glasses. While most people with glasses would never try to shower with them on, there remains a question for those with contacts: Is it safe to shower with your contacts in?

Taking care of your eyes is just as crucial as any other aspect of your physical health. Whether it’s dealing with fogged-up glasses during a rainy day or ensuring you maintain a strict contact lens routine, both glasses and contacts have their quirks. I prefer the traditional glasses route, but plenty of people opt for contacts. 45 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses daily, according to the CDC. For these wearers, proper lens care is essential to ensure long-term eye health.

While many are aware that sleeping with contacts (unless they’re designed for it) or swimming with them in can pose risks, some may not know that showering with contacts in can be just as harmful.

The Hidden Dangers of Water Exposure

In 2023, influencer Rachel Prochnow brought attention to the dangers of exposing your contact lenses to water. After showering with her contacts in, she was diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a parasitic infection that destroys the cornea. The infection was so severe that Prochnow required a cornea transplant.

Sharing her story, Prochnow wrote, “I had been wearing contacts since I was 12 and no eye doctor I had ever been to told me to not shower, swim, or hot tub in my contacts. I thought I was doing everything right. I wasn’t.”

Though cases like Rachel’s are rare, the CDC reports that 85% of acanthamoeba keratitis cases in the U.S. occur in contact lens wearers. While this condition is extremely uncommon — with only about one to 33 cases per million contact wearers — it’s crucial to be informed.

Why Water and Contacts Don’t Mix

So what is it about water that makes it dangerous for contact lens wearers? Dr. Mitchell Pulleo, an optometrist, explained that water can introduce harmful pathogens to your lenses. “Chlorinated pool water, hot tubs, fresh water, and even tap water can harbor pathogens that, when exposed to contact lenses, may increase the risk of severe eye infections,” Pulleo says. “The most devastating of these is acanthamoeba keratitis, which often leads to significant irreversible vision loss and may require a corneal transplant.”

On a microscopic level, acanthamoeba is a single-cell organism commonly found in water sources like tap water or natural bodies of water. If it comes into contact with your eye, it can cause severe infections, leading to pain, vision loss, and in extreme cases, blindness. But acanthamoeba isn’t the only risk. According to The EyeDoctors Optometrists, wearing contacts in water can also expose your eyes to other bacteria, cause irritation, dry eye syndrome, and even scratches on the cornea.

What to Do If Your Contacts Are Exposed to Water

If you accidentally expose your contact lenses to water — whether by showering, swimming, or using a hot tub with them in — there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. Dr. Pulleo recommends throwing away daily lenses if they’ve been exposed to water. For monthly lenses, he suggests removing and thoroughly cleaning them with an approved contact lens cleaning solution before reinsertion.

Stay Informed and Protect Your Eyes

If this information about water exposure and contact lenses is new to you, you’re not alone. Many people, like Rachel Prochnow, were unaware of the dangers. But now that you know, it’s time to spread the word. Inform friends and family who wear contacts about the risks of water exposure and encourage them to adopt safer habits.

With proper care, it’s easy to maintain healthy eyes and prevent infections — and that starts with taking contact lens hygiene seriously. Whether you’re a new contact lens user or a seasoned pro, make sure to keep water away from your lenses and stay diligent about your eye health!