Contact lens solutions

Today the marketplace is awash with a mind boggling selection of different contact lens solutions, and it can be difficult to know where to start. One option is to switch to daily disposable lenses; however they aren’t suitable for every visual defect and can work out to be considerably more expensive in the long run.

In response to growing market pressure a number of manufacturers have developed lens solutions where cleaning, disinfection and protein removal comes in a single bottle. The notion that lens care is a ‘hassle’ no longer holds water, unless of course you feel put out by having to leave your lenses in solution overnight and rinse them in the morning. You don’t even have to rub them clean anymore.

Some people feel that they get better results by following the tried and tested method of lens cleaning, rather than using a multi-purpose solution. The first step involves cleaning the surface of the lens with wet fingertips (use a brand-name daily cleaner) to remove any impurities. The next step is ‘disinfection’ which typically means soaking your lenses in a solution of hydrogen peroxide to kill all micro-organisms (manufactures’ guidelines vary from two hours to overnight soaking). A saline solution is then recommended as a ‘rinsing’ agent, to prevent any disinfection solution from entering the eye.

Rewetting drops also fall into the category of contact lens solutions, although they do no have a cleansing function. Instead they are designed to lubricate dry eyes and lenses, and make lenses more comfortable to wear.

If you’re thinking of trying a different lens solution, or changing to a new care program, you should always us first for expert advice.