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General Contact Lens Solutions

Although solutions will vary depending on the type of contact lens you are using (for instance soft or rigid gas permeable) every contact lens will need to be cleaned, rinsed and free from protein deposits to provide you with safe contact lenses, which produce no aggravation when wearing. The foundations of these solutions are similar for each type of lens and this is explained below, however, upon buying lens solution, make sure you choose the right one for your specific type of lens.

Daily Cleaning Solution

Daily cleaners are used to loosen debris and remove deposits and secretions, which have built up during wearing. Lenses are cleaned upon removal from the eye and the usual method is to put a drop of cleaner on the inside of the lens and rub between index finger and thumb for around 30 seconds. However, some contact lens cleaning solutions have now been developed which require no rubbing and can remove dirt simply through rinsing.

Saline Rinsing Solution

After cleaning, saline solution is used to rinse off any loose debris or dirt particles from contact lenses and also to aid insertion in the morning. As saline solution does not kill bacteria, it is not to be used as a replacement for cleaning or disinfecting solutions but only as a rinsing solution. Saline solution may also be used to rinse contact lens cases and to dilute enzymatic cleaner tablets.

Protein Removers and Enzymatic Cleaners

Soft contact lenses absorb more tears and are therefore more likely to accumulate more protein deposits than rigid gas permeable contact lenses. However, both types of lenses will need to have deposits removed on a regular weekly basis. Protein remover is in liquid solution form and is normally used weekly, however, there are now daily protein remover solutions, which are used after cleaning each evening. Enzymatic cleaners are in tablet form and are used, in conjunction with saline solution, after the normal cleaning routine, once a week.

Specific Solutions for Soft Contact Lenses

Disinfecting Solution

Disinfection solution is the liquid in which soft contact lenses are stored in overnight. The solution should kill all microorganisms overnight so that the contact lenses are clean, free from bacteria and ready to wear in the morning. Disinfecting solution fills the chamber of the contact lens case so that the liquid completely covers the lenses.

Multipurpose Solution

Multipurpose solution is a mixture of cleaning solution, rinsing solution and disinfecting solution. Lenses can be cleaned as normal, the debris is rinsed off and then left overnight to disinfect, all with one bottle of solution. The use of multipurpose solution saves time and effort and decreases the chance of mix up between bottles. However, protein-removing solution will still need to be used weekly, as will enzymatic cleaning tablets.


Specific Solutions for Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Wetting/Soaking Solution

Wetting/soaking solution is used as a soaking solution, which disinfects the contact lenses and a wetting solution, which provides an easy insertion of the lens into the eye. This solution is only for use with rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

All-In-One Solution

All-in-one contact lens solution is a multipurpose solution for rigid gas permeable contact lenses. It is a mixture of wetting/soaking solution, cleaning solution and saline solution. Like multipurpose solution for soft contact lenses, the need for only one bottle provides a timesaving substitute for the other solutions. Some solutions have now been developed that also contain a daily protein remover solution.


Other Contact Lens Products

There are many eye drops available which are designed to make contact lenses feel much more comfortable. These can be ones especially designed for dry eye, which reduce the dry, scratchy feeling or rewetting eye drops, which are designed to lubricate the eyes and can be used in the day if the contact lenses start to feel uncomfortable. As well as eye drops, sterile eye gel, eyelid cleanser and artificial tears are also available. These products help the wearing of contact lenses to be clean and smooth. Other products that will help with lens care, insertion and removal are tweezers, lens sink mats, suction holders and antibacterial soap.