Can You Rehydrate Contacts? Tips for Restoring Dried-Out Lenses

April 11, 2025 contact lenses Uncategorized 0

Every contact lens user knows how to store and take care of them, but then life is not perfect so there is no 100% assurance against dehydration even with the proper care.

Wearing contact lenses is one of the easiest ways to enjoy your vision without wearing glasses. Some of these contact lenses are meant for temporary correction of your vision while asleep so your cornea can be corrected for daylight vision. A safe case accompanies your contact lenses to ensure they are securely stored and it contains a space that holds the contact solution in which the contact lenses swim for hydration, disinfection, and cleansing.

Table of Contents

Contact Lenses and Hydration

Have you ever taken a closer look at contact lenses? You will realize that they are curved in shape and very thin. They can be made from plastic or other materials and they are meant to sit on the cornea, i.e., that clear front surface of the eye that is transparent and looks like a dome shape. Contact lenses range from soft contact lenses, which are very flexible and made of water-containing plastics, to the hard ones made from rigid plastics. The soft ones are readily available but the hard ones have to be prescribed by an eye professional for safety purposes.

That smooth gliding you experience when you put on your contact lens is because of the water content or moisture in it, which promotes comfort and clear vision. When this moisture dries out, the contact lens becomes dry and sharp, leading to displacement on your eyes. From contact lens wearers’ experiences, it leads to scratches on the cornea, discomfort, or irritation, which can be highly uncomfortable.

What Factors Cause Dehydration?

Dryness of contact lenses is linked with moisture or water content loss. There are several factors contributing to this loss and we will discuss them below:

Evaporation of the Tear Film: when you touch your eyes, there’s a thin fluid that stains your finger or wipe, and it is responsible for covering the eye itself. This fluid lubricates your eyes, keeps them clear, and contributes to general health. In a situation where this tear film evaporates or loses moisture, the contact lens and the eyes will become dry.
The Materials the Lenses are Made of: Look for low-water contact lenses like the ones made of Silicone hydrogel when you want to get contact lenses because these ones have the ability to preserve your eye fluid and prevent it from evaporating, retaining the moisture, unlike the ones with high-water content that dehydrate quickly.
Environment Condition: when you wear contact lenses for a long time in an environment that is dry or windy, the moisture loss is rapid, causes the tear film to dry up faster and makes your eye become dehydrated.
Thickness of Lens: thinner lenses dehydrate faster than thicker ones.

Implications of Contacts Lenses Drying Out

Dehydration of the Contact Lens: when your eyes lose moisture, the contact lens hardens and begins to bend or shrink because it has become rigid. The water that keeps it moist and sliding is no longer available.
Structural Damage: when contact lenses experience drying out continuously or frequently, they become damaged and lead to uneven surfaces. In worst cases, it can cause tears, which are capable of hurting your eyes when you put them on.
Infection or Contamination: dried-out contact lenses can easily attract debris, dust, and bacteria from the surfaces they come in contact with, e.g., air or the kitchen floor.

Can You Rehydrate Your Contact Lenses with Contact Solution?

With all these being said and understood, the answer to the main question is, Can you rehydrate these contact lenses? The answer is a complex one. In some cases, you might be able to rehydrate soft contact lenses, but at other times, you just have to discard them. Even though it is fortunate, the process is not straightforward because it requires extreme caution.

A Fresh Contact Lens Solution

The first and most important step to take when your contacts have dried out is soaking them in a fresh contact solution. The solution must be proper because you must not use tap water, saliva, or any liquid. This is very harmful to contact lenses since they can introduce harmful microorganisms in them and lead to eye infections when they are worn on the eyes.

Types of Solutions

Contact Lens Solution: That solution you pour in your contact case to protect your lenses from bacteria, shrinking, infections, and dehydration is what contact lens solution is. It is very sterile and works perfectly for your contact lenses.
Saline Solution: this is a solution containing sterile salt. It can also be used for contact lenses. Still, it’s incapable of disinfecting them, so it’s not a substitute for contact lens solutions.

In the rehydration process, the solution used must be a fresh one; using an old solution is a big no and make sure to lock the cap of your contact lens solution bottle tightly after every use.

Steps to Follow for Rehydration

Cleanliness: your hands are known to contain millions of germs and bacteria so they must be clean and sterile before you touch your contact lens.
A clean contact lens case: It’s all about maintaining sterility to the end so make sure to wipe the case clean and carefully using your clean hands or cleansed plastic tweezers (if available) to pick up the contact lens.
Add Fresh Contact Solution: Fill the empty contact lens case with fresh solution till it is fully submerged.
Soak Overnight: Soaking the contact lens will give it enough time for rehydration, making it soft because of the gain in moisture, thanks to the contact lens solution.
Check Well: Upon removal from the soaking, check thoroughly to see if there is any tear or scratch or if it looks discolored because these are signals for you to throw them away.
Re-rinse: You have to pour in another fresh contact solution before putting the contact lens in your eyes; doing anything to uphold your eye’s health shouldn’t be stressful.
Throw it Away: If you’ve done all these steps and you still have doubts, then throw it away and use a new one.

When to Dispose Dried-Out Contact Lenses

Some dried-out contact lenses cannot be saved even when a proper rehydration process is carried out. In such situations, discard them immediately. Here are a few tips on how to mark a contact lens for disposal:

Torn, damaged, or scratched contact lens.
Discolored lens or when the texture is unusual or differs from what you feel prior to the dehydration stage.
It’s not going back to the original shape even after soaking overnight? then it is damaged.
Feeling any discomfort when you put it on? then it’s time to throw it away. So, remove them and discard the lens immediately.

Ways To Prevent Contact Lens From Dehydration

Taking care of your contact lenses and preventing them from drying out is better than looking for a rehydration cure. Here are some ways to avoid dried-out contact lenses:

Your contact case must be filled with fresh contact solutions before you store them in there when you are not wearing them.
Pour out this solution and replace it daily.
Do not leave your lenses exposed to air for long periods.
The contact lens cases are to be replaced regularly. Every three months is an ideal time for replacement.
Experiencing dry eyes? put in some eye drops to prevent quick loss of moisture and dehydration, and don’t just pick up what you like; let the doctor prescribe them.
Do not wear your lenses over the recommended wear time. Some of these contact lenses are made for only daily use, e.g., disposable lenses. In contrast, others can be worn for longer periods.

Importance of Contacting the Right Sources for Eye Health

Truth be told, some of the issues with your contact lenses or eyes are not linked to handling or storage of your contact lenses; you just have to listen to your eyes better. Anytime you notice a strange feeling or reaction or persistent symptoms that wouldn’t go away after proper DIY treatment, it is time to consult your eye care professional. You might need to undergo some eye examinations for proper diagnosis, and the eye care professional will provide useful advice to help your eye health.

Sticking or wearing damaged or contaminated lenses in your eyes can increase the risk of eye infections, making the eyes painful, and can lead to vision loss in severe cases.

Final Summary

Is it possible to rehydrate the dried-out contact lens? Yes, but not in all situations. There must be proper knowledge of how to carry out this process safely and correctly. You must never reuse a contact solution both during rehydration and storing it after use. Prioritizing your eye health is very important, so you must inspect your lenses carefully after completing the process before putting them in your eyes. If by chance you encounter any problem, a swift visit to your eye care professional is highly recommended.