Can you shower with contact lenses?

Now you’re wondering: Can you shower with contacts in? 

The short answer is no. Eye doctors generally recommend removing your contact lenses before showering. 

While accidentally showering with your contacts in isn’t automatically an emergency, shower water can expose your lenses to microorganisms, cause irritation, and increase the risk of eye infections. 

Here’s why showering with contacts isn’t worth the risk and what to do if it happens by accident. 

Can you shower with contacts in? 

No. 

Contact lenses are designed to sit on the natural tear film that covers your eyes. They’re not designed to come into contact with tap water, shower water, bath water, swimming pools, or hot tubs. 

Why shower water and contacts don’t mix 

When contact lenses are exposed to water, several things can happen: 

• The lens may absorb water and swell 

• The lens can change shape temporarily 

• The lens may tighten against the eye 

• Debris and microorganisms can become trapped between the lens and the eye 

• The surface of the eye may become irritated 

Even clean-looking tap water is not sterile. That’s why eye care professionals generally recommend keeping contact lenses away from water whenever possible. 

What are the risks of showering with contacts? 

Most people who accidentally shower with contacts won’t develop a serious problem. 

However, water exposure does increase the risk of: 

Eye irritation 

Water can temporarily affect the fit of a contact lens and cause: 

• Dryness 

• Burning 

• Redness 

• Discomfort 

• Blurry vision 

Eye infections 

Water can contain bacteria and other microorganisms that don’t belong on a contact lens. 

When a lens traps those organisms against the cornea, the risk of infection increases. 

Microbial keratitis 

One of the biggest concerns is microbial keratitis, a corneal infection that can occur when microorganisms become trapped between the contact lens and the eye. 

Symptoms can include: 

• Eye pain 

• Redness 

• Light sensitivity 

• Excessive tearing 

• Blurred vision 

Acanthamoeba keratitis 

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious infection associated with water exposure and contact lens wear. 

It’s uncommon, but it’s one of the reasons eye doctors are so consistent about recommending that contact lenses stay away from water. 

The goal isn’t to scare you. It’s simply to explain why a quick shower isn’t as harmless for contacts as many people assume. 

Does it matter if you keep your eyes closed? 

Keeping your eyes closed may reduce direct splash exposure, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk. 

Water can still reach your lenses through: 

• Splashing 

• Steam and moisture 

• Washing your face 

• Water running across closed eyelids 

If you’re wearing contacts, the safest option is still to remove them before showering. 

What if you’re wearing daily contacts? 

Daily disposable lenses don’t get a special exception. 

Even though they’re designed to be discarded after use, they’re still not intended for showering. 

The recommendation remains the same: No showering with contacts, even daily disposables. 

What happens if you accidentally shower with contacts in? 

First, don’t panic. 

Many people realize halfway through a shower that they forgot to remove their contacts. 

The important thing is knowing what to do next. 

What to do right away 

Follow these steps as soon as possible: 

1. Wash and dry your hands 

Before touching your eyes, wash your hands thoroughly and dry them completely. 

2. Remove the contacts 

Take the lenses out as soon as you reasonably can. 

Don’t leave them in for the rest of the day just because they seem fine. 

3. Don’t force a stuck lens 

If the lens feels dry or difficult to remove: 

• Blink a few times 

• Use contact lens-safe lubricating drops if needed 

• Wait a minute 

• Try again 

Forcing a dry lens off the eye can cause irritation. 

4. Evaluate the lenses 

Once they’re removed, decide whether they should be discarded or disinfected. 

Can you put the lenses back in? 

The answer depends on the type of contact lens. 

Daily disposable lenses 

Throw them away. 

If daily contacts were exposed to shower water, replace them with a fresh pair. 

Reusable contact lenses 

If you wear reusable lenses: 

• Clean and disinfect them according to the manufacturer’s instructions 

• Use fresh solution 

• Let them complete the full disinfecting cycle 

If the lens feels uncomfortable afterward, replacing it is usually the safer choice. 

When should you call an eye doctor? 

Most accidental shower exposures won’t cause serious problems. 

However, some symptoms deserve prompt attention. 

Watch for: 

• Persistent redness 

• Eye pain 

• Light sensitivity 

• Excessive tearing 

• Blurry vision 

• Discharge 

• A sensation that something is stuck in your eye 

Seek care promptly if: 

• Symptoms worsen 

• Vision changes suddenly 

• Symptoms don’t improve after removing the lenses 

• Your eye becomes very red or painful 

Eye infections can progress quickly, so it’s better to be cautious. 

The easiest rule to follow 

Remove contacts before you: 

• Shower 

• Bathe 

• Swim 

• Use a hot tub 

A simple pre-shower checklist 

Keep these items near the sink: 

• Contact lens case 

• Fresh contact lens solution 

• Glasses 

Making the safe choice easy helps prevent accidental water exposure. 

A low-effort routine that works 

If you frequently forget: 

1. Put your glasses on before entering the bathroom 

2. Remove your contacts before turning on the shower  

3. Store them properly  

4. Reinsert them after you’re done, and your hands are clean and dry  

Even a quick rinse counts as water exposure, so consistency matters. 

The bottom line 

Can you shower with contacts in? Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. 

Shower water can expose contact lenses to microorganisms, increase irritation, and raise the risk of eye infections. The safest approach is to remove your contacts before showering and put them back in afterward. 

If you accidentally shower with contacts in, remove them as soon as possible, discard daily lenses, properly disinfect reusable lenses, and watch for symptoms such as redness, pain, blurry vision, or light sensitivity. 

When it comes to contacts and water, the simplest rule is best: Contacts out before the water turns on.