You’ve probably caught a cold or flu, and thought "Can I wear my contacts when I’m sick?" This is something most contact wearers never think about—that is, until they are sniffling and feeling achy. We might not connect illness with our eyes, but we should. When you’re sick to your stomach with congestion, a runny nose, or a rash, your body is fighting off a war in your eyes, too.

But let's put it into a form that’ll make sense for you. We will get right to the details of how to wear contacts while you’re sick, and why (and importantly) how to prevent damage to your eyes.

When Your Body's Under Attack: What Happens to Your Eyes?

The truth is: When you are sick, your immune system is on lockdown, working to put that virus or bacteria out of business. Your eyes are, sadly, the perfect entry point for germs, especially if you’re touching your face more often than usual — blowing your nose, squeezing those sleepy eyes, even rubbing those contact lenses.

Your eyes become susceptible to infection, especially if you have a weak immune system. And if you wear contact lenses, you’re creating a soft, damp nest—a place for bacteria to congregate. It is not the greatest of scenarios, is it?

Short answer: If you wear contact lenses during your illness, your eyes are a potential source of infection. But don’t freak out yet. There’s not all bad news; there are ways to shield your eyes without putting away your lenses.

Common Missteps: How Sickness and Contacts Don’t Always Mix

OK, let’s get real here. Taking your contacts out at night when you’re ill might not be something you want to do, especially if you’re huddled in bed with a box of tissues. But it’s the worst thing you can do when you are ill to lay around with your lenses on. What makes it so?

Overloaded bacteria

You’re already at full-throttle with your immune system and sleeping while wearing contacts can clog your lens and your eye.

Dryness and itchiness

Dry eye syndrome is also common with colds and flu. Contacts may cause your eyes to become more red, more irritated, and susceptible to infection if they are already dry.

Possibility of conjunctivitis

You guessed it, pink eye is no laughing matter. Respiratory infections such as the common cold also aggravate or trigger conjunctivitis, a very contagious eye infection.

The Key Symptoms That Should Make You Rethink Your Contacts

Now, you don’t have to change to glasses with every illness. But here’s when you ought to. If you notice any of the following, lay off your contacts and rely on your old specs:

  • Irritated or red eyes: These might indicate an eye infection or conjunctivitis.
  • Too much tearing: With a cold or flu, the extra water in your eyes may interfere with your contacts staying in place.
  • Mucus in the eye: Any mucus or discharge may indicate that your eyes are not just experiencing a cold. It's time for your lenses to rest.

To Wear or Not to Wear? Here’s What You Should Do

Should you forgo contacts if you’re feeling down? It really depends on the situation. But here’s a handy guide to help you make the decision:

If You Have a Cold

Even with only mild cold symptoms, and your eyes not so red and inflamed, wearing contact lenses is probably fine, as long as you take care of your hands and the lenses.

If You Have the Flu or a Fever

Here is where you should be on the guard. Flu symptoms include headaches, fatigue and aches, so keeping your contact lenses clean can be challenging. In this scenario, the solution is to try wearing glasses until you recover.

If You Have Pink Eye or Eye Irritation

Never wear contact lenses. Pink eye is extremely infectious and you don’t want to pass on or exacerbate it by putting your lenses on. Always get your eyes checked out by a doctor if you suspect you have conjunctivitis.

5 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe When You’re Under the Weather

1. Give Attention to Proper Hand Hygiene

Clean your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. A sanitizer can’t do the trick if your hands are wet or greasy.

2. Switch to Glasses If Possible

It’s a lot easier to keep your eyes clean with glasses when you’re too sick to take care of them.

3. Keep Hydrated

Drinking fluids can keep your eyes hydrated, especially if you’re suffering from dry eyes due to a cold or flu.

4. Never Touch Your Face!

It is hard to believe, but the more that you touch your eyes, the more likely you are to pass germs from your fingers onto your lenses.

5. Apply Eye Drops

When you really hate the idea of wearing glasses, use non-preservative eye drops to keep your eyes moisturized while wearing contacts.

The Choice: Glasses or Contacts?

Glasses vs contact lenses, which one to use? Ultimately, there’s no silver bullet for wearing contacts while sick. But there is a ton of data – from experts and from first-hand experience – to tell you to stay on the safe side. If you’re sick, your immune system does a good job — don’t load it up more by wearing lenses with the risk of spreading even more bacteria.

That’s a short-term switch that can avoid longer-term eye complications. So, the next time you’re feeling shaky, give your eyes a break and go for your glasses. You will thank yourself later, believe me.