Prevent Your Contact Lenses from Freezing: Winter Care Guide

Many people ask if their contact lenses will freeze during winter's coldest days. The answer might surprise you - they won't. Your body temperature manages to keep your tears and cornea at about 37°C, which protects your contact lenses from freezing even when temperatures drop to -12°C.

The story changes for stored contact lenses though. Contact lenses can definitely freeze in their solution. The freezing typically happens around -15°C. This is a common issue when people leave their contacts in cars or outside during cold weather. You might be wondering about what happens to frozen contacts - there's good news. Lenses usually keep their shape and parameters after proper thawing. A 2019 CooperVision study showed that contact lenses worked perfectly fine after being tested at -50°C for 72 hours. In this piece, you'll discover the best ways to protect your lenses from freeze damage and keep your eyes comfortable during winter.

Will contact lenses freeze in winter?

People living in cold regions often wonder if their contact lenses can freeze. Let's look at the facts about contact lenses and cold temperatures to help you take care of your vision correction tools in winter.

Why lenses don't freeze in your eyes

Your contact lenses stay safe from freezing while you wear them—even in the coldest weather. Your body's natural temperature control makes this possible. Your cornea's surface and tears stay at 34-35°C, which makes it too warm for any freezing.

Your eye's surface temperature stays stable even in very cold weather. This natural protection lets you wear contacts outdoors during winter without worrying about them freezing to your corneas. A military study from the 1980s tested this on rabbits with hard contact lenses. The researchers exposed them to cold, fast winds and found the lenses stayed unfrozen without any dangerous effects.

When and where they can freeze

Contact lenses can freeze in their solution, though they're safe while you wear them. Most lenses freeze at temperatures around or below -15°C (5°F). Here are some common situations where freezing might happen:

• Lenses stored in cars overnight during winter
• Contact lens cases near windows in very cold weather
• Storage in cold spaces like garages or porches

Contact lenses sit in a solution that has water plus cleaning and disinfecting ingredients. The solution can freeze easily in cold conditions because of its water content. Even new contact lenses in manufacturer blister packs with buffered saline solution can freeze at these temperatures.

In spite of that, different solutions freeze at different temperatures. One source suggests contact solution might start freezing at -2°C (28°F), but most research points to lower temperatures.

Can contact lenses freeze during shipping?

Yes, contact lenses can freeze during winter shipping. This usually happens when:

• Packages stay outdoors in freezing weather
• Shipments move through very cold areas
• Boxes spend too long in uncontrolled temperatures

Good suppliers ship lenses in temperature-controlled containers to reduce freezing risks. Winter weather can sometimes overcome these protective measures.

The research shows some good news. Studies have tested contacts in extreme temperatures and found they stay safe to use if their packaging stays intact. A major manufacturer's study showed that lenses kept their approved specifications even after exposure to very low temperatures for long periods.

Don't worry if you get contacts in winter that might have been frozen. Just let them warm up to room temperature before you open or use them—we'll talk more about this next.

What to do if your contacts freeze

Your contact lenses are frozen - don't panic! You can often save them if you handle the thawing process correctly. Contact lenses need special care when they freeze, unlike other items you might find in your freezer.

Step-by-step thawing process

Here's what you need to do if you find your contacts are frozen:

1. Place at room temperature - Put the frozen contact lens package in a stable environment at room temperature. Don't try to speed things up with any heating methods.

2. Keep the package sealed - Don't open the container until everything has thawed completely. Early opening could let bacteria in.

3. Allow sufficient time - This is where patience really matters. Let your contacts thaw overnight and they'll be ready to use next morning.

4. Avoid all movement - Don't shake the container during thawing. Any ice crystals could scratch your lenses if you move them around.

5. Keep away from heat sources - Never use microwaves, radiators, hot water, or hair dryers to speed up thawing - you'll end up with warped lenses.

6. Discard the frozen solution - You'll need fresh solution once everything has thawed before you can use your lenses.

The thawing process changes the physical state of your lenses, not their chemical makeup, so they're safe to wear if you follow these steps properly.

How to clean lenses after thawing

Your contacts have thawed completely - now let's get them clean before they go in your eyes:

Start by washing your hands really well with antibacterial soap. Skip the moisturizing soaps - they leave residue on your lenses. 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 that stuck to the lens while it was frozen. Give it another rinse with fresh solution to get rid of any loose debris.

Proper lens solution is a must - don't use tap water, saline, or saliva to clean them. These won't kill bacteria and could harm your eyes.

If you use hydrogen peroxide-based systems, you must use the special case that comes with your solution. Regular cases won't neutralize the hydrogen peroxide and could really hurt your eyes.

Signs of damage to look for

After thawing and cleaning, take a good look at your contacts to check for damage. Hold them up to the light and check for:

• Shape irregularities - Any warping or changes in the lens curve
• Tears or cracks - Even tiny damage matters
• Cloudy areas - Look for discoloration or hazy spots
• Edge abnormalities - Check the perimeter for rough spots

Pay special attention to the edges since that's where damage usually shows up first. The lens should also feel as flexible as it normally does after thawing.

Never wear a damaged lens, even if the problem seems small. The tiniest imperfection could scratch your cornea or lead to an infection. If you're not sure about your lens's condition, ask your eye doctor what to do.

If your lenses look damaged after thawing, it's best to throw them out and use new ones. Your eye health matters more than trying to save a questionable pair of lenses.

Common mistakes to avoid with frozen lenses

Your quick response to frozen contact lenses can make the difference between saving them and buying new ones. You can salvage properly frozen lenses, but several mistakes might damage them beyond repair. Learning about these errors will help protect your contacts and eye health.

Using heat to speed up thawing

We all want to quickly fix frozen contacts, but applying heat ranks among the worst things you can do. Heat damages lenses in several ways:

Heat sources like microwaves, radiators, hair dryers, or hot water can permanently warp the shape of your contact lenses. Warped lenses won't fit your eye's surface correctly and might cause discomfort or even harm your cornea.

Heat changes your storage solution's chemical makeup. You might not see these changes, but they can ruin your contact lenses and irritate your eyes.

Temperature changes can create tiny cracks in the lens structure. These small flaws might not show up right away but could hurt your eyes if you keep wearing the lenses.

Shaking the lens case

You should never shake the container while your contacts are still partly frozen. This simple mistake can ruin your lenses:

Ice crystals during thawing can act like sandpaper. Shaking the case forces these sharp ice particles to scratch your delicate lens surface.

These scratches might be too small to see but can affect how comfortable your lenses feel and might damage your cornea. The container needs to stay still until the thawing process ends.

Reusing frozen solution

Never try to reuse solution that has frozen - throw it out instead:

Look for changes in your solution's color, clarity, or smell after it thaws. These changes mean the solution's chemical properties have broken down, making it unsafe for your lenses.

Fresh solution should replace the frozen one before you wear your contacts again. This rule applies to lenses frozen in storage cases or original packaging.

Proper thawing won't damage your contacts, but frozen solution loses its ability to disinfect properly. Using it again puts you at risk of eye infections or irritation.

Avoiding these mistakes will help you recover frozen contact lenses safely without risking your eye health or comfort.

How to prevent your lenses from freezing

Protecting your contact lenses from freezing is nowhere near as complex as trying to fix frozen ones. You can keep your contacts working through winter with the right storage and a few simple steps.

Store lenses at room temperature

The right storage conditions make all the difference in protecting your contact lenses from freezing. Your contact lens solution needs a cool, dry spot where temperatures don't fluctuate. The best places are areas in your home that stay at steady temperatures throughout the year.

You need to watch the temperature because contact lenses start to freeze at about 5°F (-15°C). The lenses and solution can freeze if temperatures drop below this point. Your contacts are usually safe when you store them indoors at normal room temperature.

Note that extreme cold can freeze even sealed, unopened contact lens packages. The saline solution packaging offers some protection, but it won't stop freezing in harsh conditions.

Avoid leaving them in cars or near windows

Your lenses are most likely to freeze if you leave them in your car overnight or too long. Car interiors can get extremely cold during winter nights.

Keeping contacts near windows or outside doors is also risky. These spots often get drafts and temperature swings that affect your lens solution. Even well-heated homes can have cold areas near windows or exterior walls where temperatures drop substantially.

Winter travelers should always bring their contacts and solutions inside instead of leaving them in vehicles. This simple habit protects your lenses from freezing temperatures that could damage them.

Use carry-on bags for air travel

Air travel requires smart packing of contact lenses. Your travel-size contact solution belongs in your carry-on, not your checked bags. The cargo hold's extreme temperature changes could freeze your contacts.

Carry-on baggage gives you two advantages: you retain control of your lenses' environment, and the cabin's regulated temperature prevents freezing. Checked bags might sit on freezing tarmacs or in cold cargo holds for hours.

A newer study, published by CooperVision, brings good news for travelers concerned about temperature exposure. Contact lenses exposed to extreme temperatures stayed usable as long as their original packaging remained intact. Still, taking preventive steps remains the best way to maintain your lenses' quality.

Winter eye care for contact lens users

Contact lens wearers need more than just preventing frozen contacts in winter. The cold season creates unique challenges that need special attention to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

Use artificial tears to prevent dryness

The winter season brings less humidity both outdoors and indoors. Your contacts dry out faster than usual during this time. You should keep preservative-free artificial tears handy. These drops must be specifically approved for contact lens wearers to restore eye moisture and reduce discomfort. The drops become especially important outdoors in windy conditions or while spending time in heated environments.

Your eyes might need more attention if you use artificial tears more than five or six times daily. This could point to problems beyond seasonal dryness, so check with your eye doctor.

Wear sunglasses or goggles outdoors

Sunglasses serve a purpose beyond summer fashion. They offer vital protection against harsh winter winds that speed up tear evaporation. UV protection matters even on cloudy winter days. Sunlight bouncing off snow can increase UV exposure by a lot.

Winter sports fans should pick wraparound sunglasses or goggles. These options give better protection by keeping cold air away from your eyes. Your tear film stays intact while your eyes face less exposure to harsh elements.

Limit lens wear during illness or extreme cold

Sickness changes how your eyes work. The cold and flu season affects your tear production and might raise infection risks for contact wearers. A compromised immune system makes you more likely to get eye infections.

Eye care experts suggest switching to glasses until you feel better. Daily disposables work best if you must wear contacts while sick. They help reduce your chance of getting an infection.

Adjust your lens care routine for winter

A humidifier in your home or office helps fight dry indoor heating. This simple change keeps proper humidity levels and makes your contacts feel better throughout the day.

Good hydration plays a vital role alongside environmental changes. Drinking enough water helps your natural tear production. Remember to blink more during screen time. Research shows digital device use can cut blinking by up to 60%, which adds to winter dryness.

Conclusion

Winter brings its own set of challenges for contact lens wearers. The right knowledge helps you keep your lenses safe and eyes comfortable in the cold months. Your contacts won't freeze while you're wearing them, but proper storage is vital to prevent freezing damage when they're not in use.

Frozen lenses need patience to thaw properly. Heat sources or shaking the case can damage your contacts permanently. Let them thaw naturally at room temperature. Clean them thoroughly with fresh solution before putting them on.

Of course, it's better to avoid frozen lenses altogether. Store your contacts at room temperature indoors. Never leave them in your car overnight and pack them in carry-on luggage when flying. On top of that, it helps to think beyond freezing issues. Artificial tears help curb winter dryness, while sunglasses provide vital protection against harsh winds and snow's UV reflection.

Your contact lens routine might need some winter tweaks. A humidifier helps offset dry indoor heating. Stay hydrated and maybe even switch to glasses when you're down with winter illnesses. These simple steps protect your lens quality and eye health in harsh winter conditions.

You can wear your contacts confidently throughout winter with just a bit of effort and awareness. The right prep now means comfortable, clear vision all season long - whatever the temperature outside.