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Can you Shower with Contacts in? What are the Risks and Precautions?
Published on November 20th, 2023
Updated on June 6th, 2025
Australia 
Many people use contact lenses to correct their vision problems and wonder if they can shower with contacts in. The simple answer is no, you should not shower with contacts as it can damage both your eyes and contact lenses. Showering with contacts can be harmful due to bacteria and microorganisms that can be in the water, potentially leading to eye infections such as keratitis. According to many professional optometry and academic sources, you cannot shower with contacts. Keep reading to learn more about why you cannot shower with contacts in as well as the risks of getting contacts wet with tap water and the precautions you can take to prevent eye infections caused by contacts.
Oscar Wylee does not offer contact lenses.
What Does Water Do to Your Contact Lenses?
When water comes in contact with contact lenses it can affect their structure, causing swelling which may scratch the cornea and also transfer bacteria and microorganisms to the lenses and eyes. A study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2020 titled, Personal hygiene risk factors for contact lens-related microbial keratitis, found that showering with contact lenses is the greatest risk factor for developing microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is a serious eye condition that causes painful and red eyes. A person should not shower in their contact lenses or have them come into contact with water as it can be harmful to the eyes and the contact lenses.
Can you Shower With Contacts in?
No, it is not advised that you shower with contacts in as the water may contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can cause eye infections. The most common eye infection caused by contact lenses is keratitis which is inflammation of the cornea and causes red and painful eyes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water can also cause soft contact lenses to change shape as well as swell and stick to the eye which may damage the cornea. Before taking a shower, take out your contacts and store or dispose of them properly. In summary, the answer to can you wear contacts in the shower, is no as it can be harmful to the eyes.
Can I Shower with Contacts without Any Risks?
No, you cannot shower with contacts without any risks to your eye health. There is a high chance of eye problems emerging as a result of wearing contacts in the shower. This is because water exposure can cause soft contact lenses to change shape, swell, and adhere to the eye, which can scratch the cornea and increase the likelihood of infection, according to the CDC.
What are Contacts Made of?
Contact lenses are made of different materials depending on the type of contact lens. According to the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), soft contact lenses are commonly made from hydrogel or silicone hydrogel which are flexible, plastic lenses that are soft when hydrated and hard when dry. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hard contact lenses are made with firm, oxygen-permeable silicone polymers which allow oxygen to pass more easily through to the eye.
What are the Risks of Showering with Contacts?
There are many risks associated with showering in contact lenses which is why it is strongly discouraged. The risks of showering with contact lenses include eye infections, contacts may get stuck to the eyes and the shape may change. These risks and their definitions are listed below.
- Develop eye infection: Showering with contact lenses may lead the wearer to develop an eye infection as there can be harmful bacteria and microorganisms in the water. The most common eye infection caused by contact lenses is keratitis.
- Stuck to the eyes: Wearing soft contacts in the shower could cause them to become stuck to the eyes. Contacts that become stuck to the eyes can scratch the cornea which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the eye.
- Change shape: When water touches contacts while showering, it can cause them to swell and change shape which can cause eye irritation.
How can Bacteria and Microbes Impact Contact Lens Wearers?
Bacteria and microbes can impact contact lens wearers by causing eye infections. People who wear contact lenses are at a higher risk of developing eye infections as they come into direct contact with the eye. Harmful bacteria and microorganisms can affect contact lenses through non-sterilised water such as from tap water, a swimming pool or the ocean. Bacteria can lead to the eye condition keratitis which causes red and painful eyes as well as blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
Can Steam From the Shower Alter the Shape or Fit of Contacts?
Generally, steam from the shower is not hot enough to alter the shape and fit of contacts, however, a sauna can cause these problems. Because of the extreme heat and steam in a sauna, it can dehydrate the contact lens which changes the shape and fit and can cause microabrasions on the cornea. Before using a sauna, you should remove your contact lenses to prevent any damage and to protect the eyes.
What Should You Do if Your Contacts Come into Contact With Water?
If your contacts come into contact with water, you should clean and disinfect them with contact lens solution. Contact lens solution is a chemical substance you use to clean contact lenses and also to store your contacts. It is used to maintain contact lenses and prevent eye infections. Or if the contact lenses are disposable, you should throw them away. If you realise you forgot to take your contacts out while showering, close your eyes, stop the shower, take out your contacts, clean your contacts with contact lens solution or throw them out if they are disposable and you can continue your shower. Make sure you do not shower with contacts as it can damage your contacts and may lead to an eye infection.
How can You Safely Remove and Clean Contacts Post-Shower?
It is not advised to wear contact lenses when showering but if this occurs, there are safe ways you can remove them post-shower. First, make sure your hands are cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and dried, then remove the contacts from your eyes. Your contact lenses may have had their structure altered or have become stuck to your eyes, therefore, you should use saline eye drops compatible with contact lenses to make them come off easier. If they are disposable contact lenses, you should dispose of them immediately. If they are extended wear, clean them thoroughly with contact lens solution to remove bacteria and microorganisms that may lead to eye infections. Once cleaned, they can be placed back on the eyes or stored.
Oscar Wylee does not offer contact lenses.
Are There Waterproof Contact Lenses Available?
No, waterproof contact lenses are not available and do not exist. There are no contact lenses on offer that can be worn when swimming or showering. You should try and avoid any exposure of tap water to contact lenses as it may contain harmful bacteria that could cause an eye infection.
What do Eye Professionals Advise if Contact Lenses Were Exposed to Tap Water?
Eye professionals advise either disposing of or cleaning with contact lens solution if contact lenses are exposed to tap water. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should only clean your contact lenses with an official contact lens solution, not homemade solution or water, as it can contain dangerous germs that can be very harmful to the eyes.This can prevent problems with contact lenses that can happen as a result of contact with water, such as eye infection
Can Prolonged Exposure to Water Affect the Lifespan of Contacts?
Yes, prolonged exposure to water can affect the lifespan of contact lenses as it can change the shape of the contact lens and cause it to swell which can affect how it corrects your vision. It is important to keep contact lenses away from water which means you cannot shower, swim or bathe in them. You should also not wash them or store them in water, only contact lens solution.
Why is Tap Water Potentially Harmful to Contacts?
Tap water can be harmful to contacts as it can contain bacteria or other microorganisms that can lead to infections. Water can also affect the shape of the contact lenses, making them swell and stick to the eye which may scratch the cornea. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, if you use tap water to clean your contacts, it may contain a microbe called acanthamoeba which can attach to the surface of the contact lens and the case you store them in. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in the environment such as in tap water and can cause an infection that causes pain in the eye, seeing a whitish halo in your periphery and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye. Therefore, to prevent possible eye infections, do not use tap water to clean your contact lenses or shower with them in, rather use proper contact lens solution and remove your contacts before showering or bathing.
What are the Symptoms of Eye Infections Caused by Contact Lenses?
The symptoms of eye infections caused by contact lenses typically include a red eye and pain in the eye but other symptoms can depend on the specific infection. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the most common type of eye infection caused by contact lenses is keratitis. Keratitis is characterised by inflammation of the cornea which is the dome-shaped, clear tissue at the front of the eye, according to the Mayo Clinic. Keratitis may be infectious or noninfectious and causes symptoms such as red eyes, eye pain, blurry vision, watery eyes or other discharge and sensitivity to light. An eye infection caused by contact lenses can be a result of sleeping in contacts, improper care and maintenance and environmental irritants. Another potential eye infection caused by contact lenses is blepharitis which is inflammation of the eyelid.
Can Swimming with Contacts Pose Similar Risks as Showering?
Yes, swimming with contact lenses poses a similar risk as showering while wearing them as the water contains harmful organisms or bacteria that can lead to eye infections. According to the American Optometric Association and the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), it is advised that people do not swim in contact lenses as they can trap water that may contain harmful microorganisms in the eye. Before going swimming or showering, make sure to remove your contact lenses.
Is There a Difference Between Showering with Daily Disposable and Extended Wear Contacts?
Yes and no, while both daily disposable and extended wear contacts should be removed before showering to prevent complications, daily disposable contacts can be disposed of if they have come into contact with water as they are intended to be disposed of at the end of the day. Daily disposable contact lenses are worn for a single day and then disposed of at the end of the day and are not worn at night. Each day, a person will have a new pair of contact lenses to wear and dispose of to give the wearer clear and comfortable vision. Daily disposable contacts are beneficial as they do not need to be stored or cleaned daily like extended wear contacts. Extended wear contact lenses are designed to be worn for an extended period of time which can be from one week, up to four weeks depending on an optometrist's recommendation and the type of contacts, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, extended wear contact lenses may increase a person’s risk of developing eye infections.
Oscar Wylee does not offer contact lenses.
How to Safely Shower with Contacts In?
Unfortunately, there is no advisable way to safely shower with contacts in. It is strongly advised against for all types of contact lenses, including extended-wear contacts, according to the Cleveland Health Clinic.
Can You Shower with Soft Contact Lenses?
No, you cannot shower with soft contact lenses. Soft contact lenses should not be worn when partaking in any water-related activity such as swimming, showering or bathing, according to My-iClinic. This is supported by the Cleveland Health Clinic through Optometrist Reecha Kampani who states soft contact lenses “have a higher risk than hard contacts because they’re more porous and are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.”
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