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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think your eyes/eyeballs aren’t self cleaning?

431 replies

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:10

I’m not sure how it came up in conversation but me and DH were rocking about showering/cleaning and DH mentioned he doesn’t open his eyes in the shower much. I asked how he cleans his eyeballs and he looked confused. Turns out he doesn’t wash his eyeballs at all. He closes his eyes and washes his face but not his actual eyes?

AIBU to tell him his eyes don’t clean themselves and he needs to open his eyes and rinse them with the shower?

OP posts:
Lucia573 · 29/11/2025 07:34

You should avoid getting too much shower water in your eyes as it has bacteria that can cause nasty infections, especially if you wear contacts. Advice from optometrist.

aWUBBAWUBBA · 29/11/2025 07:27

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:43

I’m actually often complimented on my eyes! I’ve had a few comments about how white the whites are.. maybe that why!

Show quote history

Do you use Daz? That’s good for whiter whites.

Love this thread, OP. You’ve given me such a good laugh.

GoodQueenWenceslaus · 29/11/2025 07:20

Before anyone else posts long explanations from AI or Google, it's been established way upthread that OP is joking.

Pinkosand · 29/11/2025 06:34

Is this a joke?

Cherrypicking67 · 29/11/2025 06:27

CustardySergeant · 29/11/2025 02:14

So your face is rarely cleaned? Why? Do you wash your body? If so, why not your face? 😕

Show quote history

I shower twice a day. I just don’t use any soap on my face. Not an intentional decision just how it is. It obviously gets wet in there. 🤔🤣. So I definitely don’t wash my eyeballs 🤣

Ukefluke · 29/11/2025 05:13

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:16

Ive always been taught to open my eyes under the shower and rinse my eyes because otherwise I would get conjunctivitis and infections because gunk builds up in them. Surely that makes sense! I can’t imagine not washing my eyes 😳

You are more likely to get eye infections from shower water.
There is a reason that opticians warn NEVER to put tap water near contact lenses. That's because it is full of nasty microbes which can cause serious damage.
Tears are perfectly balanced osmotically and pH wise to coat, clean and lubricate your eyeballs. They are also full of anti bacterial chemicals which protect your eyes from infection. Washing that off with skanky tap water is insane.

sunshinestar1986 · 29/11/2025 04:19

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:10

I’m not sure how it came up in conversation but me and DH were rocking about showering/cleaning and DH mentioned he doesn’t open his eyes in the shower much. I asked how he cleans his eyeballs and he looked confused. Turns out he doesn’t wash his eyeballs at all. He closes his eyes and washes his face but not his actual eyes?

AIBU to tell him his eyes don’t clean themselves and he needs to open his eyes and rinse them with the shower?

😂
On the off chance this isn't a joke, you gotta know that eyes are internal stuff?
I mean isn't it enough that they sting and you blink and feel your eyes closing when water gets in?
Do you also wash your throat too and your vagina too? A good scrub with a long thin brush should do it 🤣
A quick google will let you know you're mistaken.

Thepossibility · 29/11/2025 04:12

Hahahahaha what

LunaTheCat · 29/11/2025 03:50

Sneezo · 28/11/2025 21:14

I clean mine once a week properly with bleach, other than that it’s just a daily squirt of Cif.

😂😂
you win the internet today

Nevernonono · 29/11/2025 03:45

👀 👀

Nevernonono · 29/11/2025 03:44

titchy · 28/11/2025 23:26

Mine go in the dishwasher once a week.

Once a week!!

How slovenly!

I bet you only change your sheets daily?

Llamallamafruitpyjama · 29/11/2025 03:44

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:16

Ive always been taught to open my eyes under the shower and rinse my eyes because otherwise I would get conjunctivitis and infections because gunk builds up in them. Surely that makes sense! I can’t imagine not washing my eyes 😳

Actually you are significantly more likely to get an infection doing what you’re doing. You risk scratching or hurting your eyes, causing abrasions or micro tears, shower water is not sterile!!! The rest of us would have conjunctivitis because nobody else washes their eyes out. Also if you did get it they would literally tell you to use cooled boiled water, because that actually makes it sterile. People aren’t allowed to shower with contact lenses in because it’s so dangerous for your eyes and people have lost eyes from doing this. Your husband is right and you are very very wrong OP sorry.

From Google ‘You should not wash your eyes in the shower because tap water can contain microorganisms that cause serious eye infections, especially for contact lens wearers. Rinsing with tap water can also disrupt the eye's natural protective layers and balance. For cleaning or rinsing, use sterile saline, contact lens solution, or artificial tears instead.
Risks of washing eyes in the shower

  • Infections: Tap water can contain bacteria, viruses, and amoebae that are harmful to the eyes. For contact lens wearers, these microorganisms can become trapped under the lens, leading to severe infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis.
  • Irritation: The chlorine in tap water can irritate and redden your eyes.
  • Surface damage: The water pressure and chemicals can wash away the protective tear film and damage the delicate surface cells of your eye. ‘

Before you continue to Google Search

https://www.google.com/search?q=Acanthamoeba+keratitis&client=safari&sca_esv=c1e6e51236f71463&hl=en-us&ei=02sqaZmhAqyx0PEPhriMiQo&oq=dont+wash+eyes+in+shower&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhhkb250IHdhc2ggZXllcyBpbiBzaG93ZXIyCBAAGKIEGIkFMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESMMZUPcIWIAXcAN4AZABAJgBhQGgAfQGqgEDMi42uAEDyAEA-AEBmAILoAK6B8ICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgoQIRigARjDBBgKwgIFEAAY7wXCAggQABgIGA0YHsICChAAGAgYChgNGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBZgDAOIDBRIBMSBAiAYBkAYIkgcDNC43oAeTM7IHAzEuN7gHpwfCBwcwLjEuOC4yyAdB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfAcyANfFxFCtaXvYn_hUHKDPGtAI6rV4xoZrQeN5iGlczhWM7VD_pyhdeiY0d-mOLAk98rmc4r2QEZ7MnSU6Yolnb11F7gAZ5BdIo3vFMQ_HAgjdU5ito1E4x2Em1tWgZlgofUtWLq6UhrbeBh_So_s5CIz9x1lUpn-k89fQSeuOKWzu4JLPyuNN8VGZBB7bss2ilI81pa9BzwvS5tfsV2yHA&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwiQi8nhuJaRAxVAHjQIHTN8I2YQgK4QegQIAxAB

Nevernonono · 29/11/2025 03:40

LaMadrilena · 28/11/2025 23:13

Don't know why you're all giving the OP such a hard time. Mine go in the top tray of the dishwasher (on eco) when I go to bed. It's not like I need them overnight. Top tip: make sure the rinse aid is topped up for perfect 20-20 vision.

Ridiculous!!

They should go in the cutlery holder!

Lolllllllllxxxxx · 29/11/2025 02:49

LaMadrilena · 28/11/2025 23:13

Don't know why you're all giving the OP such a hard time. Mine go in the top tray of the dishwasher (on eco) when I go to bed. It's not like I need them overnight. Top tip: make sure the rinse aid is topped up for perfect 20-20 vision.

I'm howling 😂😂😂

Lolllllllllxxxxx · 29/11/2025 02:49

OriginalUsername2 · 28/11/2025 21:17

I use an old toothbrush to really get the grime off

😂😂😂😂😂

Lolllllllllxxxxx · 29/11/2025 02:48

Lol.

MycroftSholmes · 29/11/2025 02:42

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

This has all cheered me so very much … 🤣🤣🤣🤣

BankfieldForever · 29/11/2025 02:21

Thank you, Op. I’ve had a miserable day and this has really cheered me up.

My own eyes are wonderfully rinsed out now as page 12 of this thread made me laugh so hard the tears were streaming down my face! 🥰

CustardySergeant · 29/11/2025 02:14

Cherrypicking67 · 28/11/2025 21:24

I don’t even wash my face let alone my eyeballs. Rarely even cleanse and moisturise. Almost 60, no issue here 😂

So your face is rarely cleaned? Why? Do you wash your body? If so, why not your face? 😕

KitTea3 · 29/11/2025 01:47

I wasn't around for the historical penis beaker thread but this may just make it into the archives 🤣🤣

Firefumes · 29/11/2025 01:46

I wouldn’t do this. I have dry eyes & have actually seen a NHS optometrist and they never recommended anything of the sort as part of good eye hygiene. The only thing he advised to apply direct to the eye are eye drops and ointments. Anything else should only be applied to the eyelid ie eyes closed.

Tezza1 · 29/11/2025 01:28

If you feel the need to wash your eyes, plain water probably isn't going to do it. It may need saline drops, a saline wash, other drops,ssuch as antihitimine eye drops, or if your eye eyes are gummy as are mine, it may be dry eyes and you could need eyes wipes/specific eye drops made for dry eye.

PinkyFlamingo · 29/11/2025 01:23

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:22

I’ve never once had an eye infection or conjunctivitis while DH has, it might be controversial maybe but it obviously works.

I'm 55 never washed my eyes and also never had any eye infections, how does that work then?

SnowFrogJelly · 29/11/2025 01:18

HumourMeThis · 28/11/2025 21:10

I’m not sure how it came up in conversation but me and DH were rocking about showering/cleaning and DH mentioned he doesn’t open his eyes in the shower much. I asked how he cleans his eyeballs and he looked confused. Turns out he doesn’t wash his eyeballs at all. He closes his eyes and washes his face but not his actual eyes?

AIBU to tell him his eyes don’t clean themselves and he needs to open his eyes and rinse them with the shower?

This is a wind up right

Hortesne · 29/11/2025 01:13

I used a dedicated eyeball cleanser as often as I change my sheets (ie once an hour)