I have to agree with the British Contact Lens Association's lobbying of contact lens manufacturers to place a 'no water' warning on contact lens packaging http://www.opticianonline.net/Articles/2013/03/08/30811/BCLA+argues+merits+of+%27no+water%27+warnings.htm as you just cannot rely on people being sensible, as my story that follows illustrates. The recent flurry of contact lens infection stories in the UK national press show the dangers of coming into contact with water, whether shower or swimming pool, if you're a contact len wearer. I, however, took my young son to the swimming pool the other week, and not having any Rx goggles, wore my contact lenses. I hadn't bargained on some over-enthusiastic splashing from some of the other 'swimmers', got splashed in my eyes and, on return home, immediately took my contact lenses out, cleaned them and left them in solution, giving them another rinse before insertion the next morning. Reading the infection stories had made me much more aware of the dangers and I really should have used some daily disposables, to remove and throw away. The other option I will pursue is to invest in some tight fitting goggles, if these swimming visits are to become regular. Anything manufacturers and practitioners can do to highlight the risk of water contact with contact lenses is a step in the right direction. I'm sure there are plenty of wearers out there who don't know the dangers of wearing them in the shower and a 'no-water' warning and logos of dangers may be enough to change some habits.
Opinion