Can Contact Lenses Freeze? The Truth That Could Save Your Eyes

Many people wonder if contact lenses can freeze in winter temperatures. The answer is yes - contact lenses stored in solution freeze at temperatures around -15°C or below. This fact matters especially during cold weather shipping or storage.

You might worry about your contacts freezing during mail delivery. The good news comes from a 2019 CooperVision-backed study. Researchers tested contact lenses at temperatures as low as -50°C for 72 hours, and the lenses kept their approved parameters. Your contacts won't freeze while you wear them because your cornea's surface temperature stays at about 34-35°C. This warmth naturally prevents any freezing.

You'll find important information here about frozen contact lenses. Let's explore how to safely thaw frozen lenses and what steps you should take to protect your lenses and eyes in cold weather.

Can contacts freeze in your eyes or while wearing them?

Many people who wear contact lenses worry about their lenses freezing during cold weather activities. The good news? Contact lenses cannot freeze while you're wearing them - even in the coldest temperatures.

Why body temperature prevents freezing

Your eyes create a warm environment that shields your contacts from freezing, whatever the outside temperature. Two main factors make this possible:

Your cornea's surface stays warm at about 34-35°C. This temperature barely changes despite what's happening outside, which creates a perfect environment to keep your contacts above freezing point.

Your natural tear film provides extra protection. Your body heat and tears work together to keep contacts warm and flexible when you face bitter cold winds or enjoy winter sports. Eye care professionals point out that "contacts won't freeze while you're wearing them because they are kept warm by the temperature of your cornea and tears".

The body's protective system works in the most extreme conditions. Scientists have tested contacts in temperatures down to -60°C and found no signs of freezing while being worn.

Common myths about frozen lenses debunked

Scientific evidence exists, but myths about contact lenses freezing still float around. Let's get into some common myths:

Myth 1: Contact lenses can freeze to your eyes in winter This worry tops the list, but it has no basis in fact. Your body temperature of about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit keeps them warm. The mix of corneal temperature and tear film stops freezing, even in temperatures below zero.

Myth 2: Contacts freeze during air travel People often think contacts freeze on planes because of high altitude. The cabin's pressure system makes this impossible. Modern contact lenses also use materials that handle different temperatures well.

Myth 3: Cold weather causes lens damage Cold air might make your eyes feel dry or uncomfortable, but it won't harm the lenses. Today's contact lenses use materials that stay stable in temperatures of all ranges. Research shows that lenses kept their approved standards for vital measurements like base curve, diameter, water content, and power, even after 72 hours at -50°C.

The biggest problem in winter isn't freezing - it's dryness. Cold weather can cut down tear production and speed up evaporation, which irritates your eyes. Eye drops can help with this discomfort.

Your stored contacts in solution might freeze at very low temperatures (around 5° Fahrenheit), but the ones you wear will stay unfrozen thanks to your body's natural warmth. This protection system works well no matter how cold it gets outside.

What to do if your contact lenses freeze

Your contacts have frozen and it's scary - this often happens when they arrive in winter mail or sit in a cold car. The good news is you can save frozen contact lenses if you thaw them the right way.

Step-by-step thawing process

Here's how to safely restore your frozen contact lenses:

1. Place at room temperature - Let your frozen contact lens package sit in a room temperature spot. Give it time to thaw naturally.

2. Keep packaging intact - The package needs to stay sealed until everything has thawed completely.

3. Avoid shaking - The package should stay still while thawing. Ice crystals could scratch your lenses if you move them around.

4. Allow sufficient time - You need patience here. Leave your contacts to thaw overnight and they should be ready next morning.

5. Clean thoroughly - After they've thawed completely, give your contacts a good rinse with fresh saline solution before you put them in.

6. Discard old solution - The frozen solution needs to go - always use fresh solution instead.

Why you should never use artificial heat

You might want to speed things up, but artificial heat will ruin your contacts:

Heat sources damage lens structure - Your lenses will warp if you use microwaves, radiators, hair dryers, or hot water. A warped lens can hurt your eyes and feel uncomfortable.

Chemical composition risks - Heat changes the storage solution's chemical makeup and this hurts your contacts. You might not see these changes, but your eyes will feel them.

Structural integrity concerns - Quick temperature shifts can create tiny cracks in your lenses. This damage isn't always visible but could lead to eye problems later.

How to handle frozen lenses during travel

Contact lens wearers face special challenges in winter travel. Here are some smart ways to protect your lenses:

Keep lenses close to your body - Your body heat will keep contacts at a safe temperature when you travel in cold weather. This natural warmth protects without causing damage.

Pack in carry-on luggage - Your contacts and solutions belong in your hand luggage, not checked bags where temperatures get extreme.

Use travel-size solutions - Small bottles of contact solution in your carry-on stay at safer temperatures.

Inspect before use - Look carefully at thawed lenses for damage like warping, cracks, or odd shapes. Throw away damaged lenses right away.

Consult a professional when unsure - Talk to your eye doctor if you're not sure about using thawed lenses. Your eyes deserve better than risky contacts.

Backpackers in very cold places can use hand warmers or keep their lens case in their sleeping bag at night. This helps prevent freezing in extreme conditions.

How to care for your lenses after thawing

Your contact lenses have thawed, but you need to take proper care before putting them in your eyes. Room temperature alone doesn't make them safe to use. Let's get into how you should handle frozen contacts to protect your lenses and eye health.

Clean with fresh solution

Your thawed contact lenses need a good cleaning with fresh solution first. Never reuse the solution where the lenses were frozen.

Start by washing your hands with antibacterial soap. Stay away from moisturizing soaps - they can make your contacts cloudy. Put the thawed lens in your palm and add a few drops of fresh multipurpose solution. Use your finger to rub the lens in circles for about 15-20 seconds on each side. This helps remove any particles stuck to the lens during freezing.

Give the lens another rinse with fresh solution. This step washes away loose debris or residue. Note that you should never clean or rinse your contacts with tap water, saline, or saliva. These won't clean your lenses properly and might introduce harmful bacteria.

Users of hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning systems should always use the special case that comes with it. This case turns hydrogen peroxide into saline over time. Regular cases won't do this conversion and could cause substantial eye discomfort.

Check for damage before inserting

After cleaning, take a close look at your thawed contacts for damage or distortion. Hold the lens up to light and check for:

• Shape changes or warping
• Cracks or tears in the lens material
• Color changes or cloudy areas
• Edge irregularities or roughness

Even small damage can affect your comfort and vision. Damaged lenses might scratch your cornea or lead to infection. Throw away the lens and use a new one if you notice anything wrong.

The lens edges need extra attention - damaged edges often show first that freezing has affected the lens structure. Your contact should also keep its normal flexibility after thawing.

Signs your lens may be unsafe to use

Your comfort and safety matter most when deciding if frozen contacts are safe. Remove the lens right away if you notice:

• Blurred or fuzzy vision, especially if it happens suddenly
• Redness or irritation in and around your eyes
• Uncomfortable feeling or constant awareness of the lens
• Pain in or around your eyes
• Too much tearing or unusual discharge
• More sensitivity to light

Take out your lenses quickly if you have any of these symptoms. Uncomfortable lenses after thawing usually mean there's damage you can't see. Ask your eye care professional if you're not sure about your contacts' safety.

Daily disposable lens wearers might find it easier to just use new lenses if they don't trust their thawed ones. Eye care professionals often suggest this approach, especially for daily disposables. The risk isn't worth saving a few dollars on potentially damaged lenses.

Winter eye care tips for contact lens users

Winter months create unique challenges for contact lens wearers beyond concerns about frozen contacts. Your eyes might feel uncomfortable due to dry outdoor air combined with indoor heating systems. Several strategies can help you wear your lenses comfortably during the cold season.

Use lubricating drops to prevent dryness

Low humidity levels in winter make tears evaporate faster, leaving your eyes dry and irritated. You can curb this effect:

Choose preservative-free artificial tears that are safe for contact lens wear. These lubricating drops work with your natural tear production and relieve the gritty feeling you might experience with regular lens use.

Keep these drops available, especially in windy conditions. Note that staring at screens reduces blinking by up to 60%, which affects your tear film quality.

Stay hydrated and use a humidifier

Your body's hydration level affects how well your eyes maintain moisture. The NHS suggests drinking 1.2-2.0 liters of fluid daily (six to eight cups). Regular hydration helps your body produce quality tears needed for comfortable lens wear.

Indoor heating reduces air moisture significantly. A humidifier in your living spaces adds vital moisture back into your environment. Keep humidity levels between 30-40% since higher levels might encourage bacteria growth.

Avoid direct heat sources like vents

Heat exposure makes tears evaporate faster and creates discomfort. Watch your position near:

• Furnace vents
• Car heating vents
• Fireplaces or stoves

These heat sources dry out your eyes faster and increase irritation. Try to keep distance from direct heat streams whenever possible.

A practical winter strategy combines these approaches—body hydration, environment moisturizing, heat avoidance, and proper eye drops. People with persistent dry eye problems should ask their eye doctor about specialty lenses designed for dry eye conditions.

Winter elements affect both outdoor and indoor environments, so protecting your eyes helps maintain comfortable lens wear throughout the season.

When you should avoid wearing contact lenses

Contact lenses are safe to wear most of the time. However, you should switch to glasses in certain situations to keep your eyes healthy. Learning when to give your eyes a break from contacts helps prevent serious problems.

During dust storms or hazy days

Dust creates extra risks for people who wear contacts. We noticed that dust particles can get stuck between your lens and eye, which leads to irritation and scratches on your cornea. Your chance of getting an eye infection goes up if you get caught in a dust storm.

Eye doctors suggest taking out your contacts during heavy dust storms. If you have no choice but to wear them, daily disposables work best since you can throw them away after one use. On top of that, it helps to wear sunglasses or regular glasses as a shield against floating dust particles.

If you're sick or have eye irritation

Here's a simple rule - skip your contacts when you're under the weather. Cold and flu viruses spread fast through droplets from coughs and sneezes. You touch your eyes more often with contacts, which raises your risk of infection.

Eye experts warn that wearing contacts while sick might lead to pink eye. Plus, cold medicines like antihistamines and decongestants make your eyes even drier, which makes wearing lenses uncomfortable.

Red eyes, crusting, or discharge are signs to stop wearing contacts right away. Wait at least a week after these symptoms clear up before putting them back in.

When exposed to extreme cold for long periods

Long hours in freezing weather create special problems for contact wearers. Your contacts won't freeze on your eyes, but winter conditions - wind, cold, and wet weather - often make lenses feel uncomfortable.

Cold weather reduces your tears while making them evaporate faster, which leaves your eyes dry and irritated. Contact lenses already limit oxygen to your cornea, and winter makes this worse.

Winter sports enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers should think over switching to prescription glasses or special goggles made for extreme weather.

Conclusion

Contact lens freezing isn't as dangerous as most wearers think. In this piece, we've learned that contacts can freeze in their solution during extreme cold. But they won't freeze while you're wearing them, thanks to your body's natural warmth. You can wear your contacts with confidence during winter activities without worrying about freeze damage.

Winter creates its own set of challenges for contact lens users. Cold weather leads to eye dryness and discomfort rather than actual freezing problems. You can substantially improve your winter contact lens experience by using preservative-free lubricating drops. Staying hydrated and running a humidifier will also help.

If you find frozen contacts in storage or delivery, let them thaw naturally at room temperature. Don't rush this process. Clean them with fresh solution and look for any damage before putting them in. Some situations call for wearing glasses instead - especially when you have dust storms, when you're sick, or during long exposure to extreme cold.

Your eye health should be the top priority all year. Contact lenses won't freeze while you wear them, but taking proper winter precautions will give you comfort and safety. These guidelines will help you handle cold weather while protecting your vision and keeping your eyes healthy through winter.