Can contact lenses and solution freeze?
Winter and sub-zero temperatures are not an obstacle to wearing contact lenses. With a few tips, you will be able to enjoy wearing them in the cold season as well.
You probably want to know if contact lenses can freeze in extremely cold temperatures…
They can’t. Common hydrogel contact lenses (38% of hydration) won’t freeze in your eyes. Snow and frost won’t damage the lenses and they will not lose their qualities. The temperature of the cornea and tears is about 35°C, which means the lens is warm enough even when it’s –10°C outside.
If you put lenses dipped in a solution in a freezer, the solution will freeze at about –15°C. However, the frozen solution protects the lens from damage, therefore contacts will show no change in quality after defrosting.
Without a solution, lenses can freeze, but they will probably dry out first.
We would definitely recommend you avoid such experiments and if you decide to wear a defrosted lens, you should have it checked by a specialist, with a magnifying device.
What about solutions?
A solution freezes at around –10°C. Be careful if your solution freezes while you are on holiday or while travelling. Frost can spoil its contents and lower its disinfecting qualities.
How to prevent freezing?
We recommend keeping solutions at room temperature, as is usually indicated on the information leaflets or packaging. Extreme cold can alter or impair the solution and thus lower its effects, which could lead to insufficient cleaning of your contacts.
However, temperatures around –10°C can only damage the solution after several hours. So if you travel with lenses and solution, but don’t expose them to long and cold journeys every day, you don’t have to worry.
You should also keep lens storage in mind.
Lenses in a solution shouldn’t be exposed to extreme temperatures. Pay attention when travelling, particulary in the mountains.
Wearing contact lenses could be inconvenient when there are strong winds in freezing temperatures, or with frequently changing temperatures, like when you walk in and out of overheated shops and the ouside temperature is well below zero. In such cases, lenses might be uncomfortable and your eyes could feel dry.
Moisturising eye drops will help you with this and will make contact lens wearing more pleasant. Some of them are:
In winter, even when it’s not sunny, make sure to wear sunglasses that will protect your eyes from strong wind and snow glare. Then, when the sun comes out, you will do your eyes a double favour, because UV radiation is as intensive in winter as it is in summer, especially in the mountains.
There are several ways to enjoy winter in contact lenses. If you are not sure or need advice, seek your optician or ask Lentiamo.co.uk.
Comments
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My house is probably over 100 years old and doesn’t have central heat. We use gas heaters during the day and at night turn the heaters off. What is the best way to keep my contacts warm in the upcoming freezing temperatures of 9 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind chill of -11 degrees Fahrenheit?
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ReplyDear Amanda,
Thank you for your comment.
Keep the package of contact lenses in a place where you are able to maintain a stable room temperature for as long as possible. Or at least one that does not drop below freezing in the room.
Have a lovely day.
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I also had a years supply of contacts delivered to my home, and they have all frozen in their packaging while in my mailbox. Am I correct in assuming they are not in wearable condition? Can I exchange them?
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Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
I apologise for the delayed response.
Since the lenses were in their blisters (that contain solution), it is likely that they are suitable for wear, however, no one can guarantee that, other than an ophthalmologist.
How did the lenses look upon opening the blister? Were they dried out?
Kind Regards.
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I work in a freezer that is -10°f to -25°f I wear glasses and unable to do the constant frosting. Would contacts be safe to wear in a freezer at that temp for 8-12 hours a day?
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Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
We would suggest consulting your doctor regarding this issue.
Kind Regards.
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Hello. I mistakenly kept my Contact lens and its solution in Freezer. when After one and half hour , I took it out, My lens were freezed inside container and the solution in the bottle was Lowered very much...Please Help..what to do?
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Hello Yash,
Thank you for your comment.
As mentioned in the article, we would not suggest wearing lenses that may
have frozen, as damage might have occured. As stated: if you decide to wear a
defrosted lens, you should have it checked by a specialist, with a magnifying
device.
Kind Regards.
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Hello, I ordered a one year supply of monthly contacts by mail but they were delayed by an ice storm and may have experienced freezing for a day or more in the delivery warehouse. Will they still be safe to wear or should I reorder?
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Hello Eru,
Thank you for your comment.
I can assure you that the good are safe to use, as they were kept in a
suitable temperature troughout the transportation.
Regards.
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I am going on a dog sledding trip and the temps are going to be below freezing. I will be carrying my contact lense solution and rewetting drops in my bag on the sled. I am very concerned they are going to freeze during our trek. We will be out on the sleds for 7ish hours a day. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Hello Cristy,
Thank you for your inquiry.
As the article states, usually the solution will freeze after a few hours.
The best would be to follow the instructions on the containers of both drops and
solution.
Kind Regards.
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I accidentally left my prescription contacts in the case in the trunk of my car pack in a garbage bag with clothes for about a week. It was during the winter and really cold I did look for them but thought I lost them. When I brought everything in I found them in the bag with the clothes but I have been afraid to try to wear them because I don't know if them being in the trunk for that week during the cold weather would have damaged them so I have either not wore anything or wore reading glasses non prescription when I have to. My question is would my contacts be ok and not damaged so still be good to wear because for whatever reason two different eye doctors both say they don't want me to wear glasses but do want me in contacts. I'm sorry my question is so long but can someone please give me an answer. I have been trying to find this out since the beginning of January and my eye doctor is only there on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-7est. So I have trouble getting ahold of him for an answer as well as I can't afford to pay for another pair. Can someone please help me and tell me if they are still good and safe to wear.please and thank you in advance Robyn McIntyre
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Dear Robyn,
Assuming that the temperature for that week did not go well below –10
or –15, like it says in the article, there shouldn't be any problem.
It is also important to know which brand and type of lenses you are wearing,
as the water content might make a lot of difference in the way they respond to
cold temperatures.
It is true that you should seek a doctor's advice, therefore you could try,
but don't be surprised if they don't feel comfortable.
Please contact me at info@lentiamo.co.uk for
more details.
Best regards, Fabrizio
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Hello how are you?
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Hi Chad,
All good here. Is there anything we can help you with?
Best wishes,
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hi
