Soaking Soft Contact Lenses on Shabbos
Manufacturers instruct wearers of soft contact lenses to soak their lenses regularly in a disinfecting solution25 in order to rid them of built-up dirt or tears, which contain microscopic germs that are absorbed into the lenses. Tears also produce certain proteins, which eventually build up on the lenses and may cloud them if they are not cleaned on a regular basis.
Rav Y.S. Elyashiv has ruled26 that one should be stringent and not soak soft contact lenses in a disinfecting solution on Shabbos, as this may be a violation of the melachah of laundering. This is because the disinfecting solution penetrates the matrix of the lens and removes the proteins. Laundering is taking place since the lenses are being cleansed of the proteins that (may) have penetrated them.
During a personal visit, Rav Elyashiv was asked whether an argument can be made that this process should not be considered laundering, since the proteins that embed themselves in the lens are not visible to the naked eye. One simply cannot distinguish between lenses that were soaked in plain saline solution overnight or lenses that were soaked in disinfecting solution. As Avnei Nezer27 clearly states, laundering is dependent on chazusa, appearance; it is prohibited only when one can visually detect that the item underwent a cleansing process,28 meaning that visible dirt or stains were removed. Why, then, is placing contact lenses in a disinfecting solution considered laundering, even though there is no change in the appearance of the lenses? In response to this question, Rav Elyashiv answered that people are meticulous (makpid) about keeping their lenses clean. Thus, using a disinfecting solution is considered laundering.
From Rav Elyashiv’s short answer, it sounds as if he disagrees with the Avnei Nezer’s definition of laundering. Laundering, in his opinion, is dependent not on the change in the appearance of the item, but rather on the kepeidah of people, i.e., how particular they are to keep a certain item clean. If people are makpid to clean an item even if no dirt is visible to the naked eye, it is considered laundering and is prohibited on Shabbos.29
However, several contemporary poskim disagree with Rav Elyashiv’s ruling and do permit one to soak lenses.30 See also footnote.31
25. Such as Alcon Opti-Free Express Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution.
26. See Yeshurun, vol. 7, pgs. 526-538, subsequently reprinted in Orchos Shabbos, vol. 1, pgs. 557-564. See also Koveitz Teshuvos 1:26.
27. O.C. 157-11, who quotes the Shulchan Aruch ha-Rav, O.C. 302, as a source for this interpretation.
28. The Avnei Nezer proves this from the halachah recorded in Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 509:5 and Mishnah Berurah 26 that (under certain circumstances) it is permitted to kasher a non-kosher vessel on Yom Tov. Although the vessel is being purged of the non-kosher content that became absorbed in its walls, we do not consider it a transgression of laundering. This is because the kashering process does not change the appearance of the vessel; one cannot visually distinguish between a kosher vessel and a non-kosher vessel. Laundering, therefore, did not take place.
29. It is possible that Rav Elyashiv was under the impression that people are particular to clean lenses nightly because otherwise the lenses will be ruined or the wearer’s vision will be impaired. The fact of the matter is, however, that no lens damage or visual impairment results if the lenses are not cleaned even for several nights.
30. See Ohr ha-Shabbos, vol. 17, pgs. 5-10, who quotes a lenient ruling from Rav M. Sternbuch; Kol ha-Torah, vol. 50, pg. 236-239, quoting several poskim; Kol ha-Torah, vol. 57, pg. 294, quoting Rav C.P. Scheinberg; Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah (15:83) citing R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. See more information on this subject in Contemporary Halachic Problems, vol. 5, pgs. 175-182.
31. While Rav Elyashiv did not expressly say so, we can assume that those who are not specifically particular about soaking their lenses in disinfecting solution every night may soak them on Shabbos. It can be argued that many people fall into this category. Although most people do soak their lenses in disinfecting solution nightly, this is done merely as a matter of routine and convenience: Lenses must be stored overnight in some solution to prevent hardening, so they may as well soak in a disinfecting solution. Using a disinfecting solution, therefore, does not necessarily reflect on the wearer’s being particular to disinfect the lens. Thus, it may be permitted to soak lenses in disinfecting solution on Shabbos even according to Rav Elyashiv’s opinion.