{"id":2092,"date":"2023-10-27T10:03:09","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T14:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2092"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:38","slug":"can-you-wear-contacts-with-pink-eye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/can-you-wear-contacts-with-pink-eye","title":{"rendered":"Can You Wear Contacts With Pink Eye?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>No, wearing contacts with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/conjunctivitis\">pink eye<\/a> (conjunctivitis) is not advised. With any type of active <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-infections\">eye infection<\/a>, an eye doctor will always recommend that you avoid touching and rubbing your eyes and that you stop wearing contact lenses immediately. You can wear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/eyeglasses\">glasses<\/a> in the meantime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know\u2014this probably isn\u2019t the answer you were hoping for, is it? Even though it may be tempting to turn a deaf ear, it\u2019s important to consult with your eye doctor on any eye-related concerns and always follow their advice to the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help make the \u201cno\u201d pill a smidge easier to swallow, this article will explain the why behind it. We\u2019ll also discuss when you can resume wearing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/contacts\">contacts<\/a> and how to do so safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens If You Wear Contacts With Pink Eye?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main reasons to avoid wearing contacts with pink eye:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It could spread infection. <\/strong>When you touch an infected eye, you risk spreading it to the other eye or even to other people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It could increase irritation. <\/strong>Eyes infected with conjunctivitis are irritated and inflamed. Wearing contact lenses can make those symptoms worse and prolong your condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .entry-content (split for inline block) -->\n\n<section class=\"wp-blocks__banner has-img white\">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/smiling-optometrists-cta.jpg\" alt=\"Worried about pink eye?\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks__banner-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Worried about pink eye?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<p>An expert optometrist can properly diagnose your condition and advise on treatment<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks-banner__cta-links\" style=\"flex-wrap:wrap;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/eye-exams\">Book an exam <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/conjunctivitis\">Learn more about pink eye <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><!-- (reopen for inline block) -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Can You Wear Contacts After Pink Eye?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After having pink eye, you shouldn\u2019t start wearing contact lenses again until your eye doctor says you can. Typically, they\u2019ll say to wait until all symptoms are gone and any medications are finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Wear the Same Contacts After Pink Eye?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/contacts\/bi-weekly-contacts\">biweekly<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/contacts\/monthly-contacts\">monthly disposable contacts<\/a>, do NOT wear the same lenses you were using when you first got pink eye. Throw those away, and start with a new pair. The same goes for your storage case and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/what-is-contact-solution\">contact solution<\/a>, too\u2014be sure to toss those and start fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your lenses, case, and solution could all potentially be contaminated with infectious bacteria. Using new products will help prevent a repeat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-infection-from-contacts\">infection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Disinfect Contacts After Pink Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Soft, disposable contact lenses are most common, but if your contacts aren\u2019t disposable, don\u2019t panic\u2014you\u2019ll just need to be super thorough in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/how-to-clean-contacts\">cleaning them<\/a>. Be sure to follow all directions from both the manufacturer and your eye doctor. If possible, use a new bottle of cleaner\/solution and a new storage case, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pink Eye and Contacts Don\u2019t Mix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just remember: As tempting as it might be to go back to your trusty contacts as your pink eye symptoms begin to ease up, it\u2019s best to wait. If you haven\u2019t yet visited your eye doctor, be sure to make an appointment to get an expert evaluation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No, wearing contacts with pink eye (conjunctivitis) is not advised. With any type of active eye infection, an eye doctor will always recommend that you avoid touching and rubbing your eyes and that you stop wearing contact lenses immediately. You can wear glasses in the meantime. We know\u2014this probably isn\u2019t the answer you were hoping [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contacts","category-eye-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can You Wear Contacts With Pink Eye? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Don\u2019t wear contacts after pink eye until your eye doctor approves. 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