Is it safe to rinse my eyes with tap water before inserting lenses?

Hi all, I'm seeking advice from the perspective of someone who isn't an Optometrist.

As a contact lens wearer, it's dawned on me how little advice is available on things to do and not to do before inserting lenses. We're advised to avoid washing our face or showering while we wear lens, to reduce the risk of infections including the dreaded acanthamoeba parasite.

My morning routine involves washing my face and eyes with tap water, using a towel to dry my face and eyes. I make sure to use the towel and blink a lot. When I say wash my eyes, it's a simple splashing and rinsing a few times with handfuls of tap water.

I always wait at least 20 minutes before going anywhere near my lenses, during this time I go about the rest of my morning. My reasoning is that the eye is always blinking and draining fluid, so flushing out foreign substances, debris and hopefully microbes as well. The 20 minute wait is kind of an arbitrary time I decided on, as most of us don't have the luxury of time in the morning!

Given that showering and washing our faces is a normal activity for most people, it's strange that not many people have asked how long should we wait before putting in lenses.

I appreciate your answers, many thanks!

 

I put mine in immediately BUT i also fill my contact lens with Lacripure Saline. that was the last thing that touches my eye is saline.

 

I prefer washing eyes before putting lenses. Though, it is also highly advisable to use dry your face completely and then apply eye lubricant before wearing lenses. These eye lubricants help provide long-lasting relief for those with dry eye symptoms.