Are You Using Contact Lens Solution Correctly?

Contact lenses are very popular these days and they don’t just act as visual aids anymore. Although contact lenses started as a tool for visual correction, contacts now play a more aesthetic role.

In other words, whether it’s for vision correction or fashion application, contact lenses are now a common eye accessory. In fact, you can easily buy cosmetic contact lenses like cosplay lenses, 3 tone colored lenses, and more.

However, did you know that most contact lens users have at least one bad hygiene habit? 

Additionally, these bad habits put you and other contact lens users at risk of vision problems like eye infections.

With this in mind, it’s important for you to know how to effectively use your contact lens solution.

Contact Lens Solution

Contact lenses and contact lens solution come hand in hand. In fact, you could say that your contact lenses won’t be safe to wear without your contact lens solution.

After all, your solution disinfects your lenses and makes them free from germs and harmful bacteria.

However, are you aware that there are different types of solutions available in the market?

And more importantly, are you sure you’re using your contact lens solution effectively?

Don’t worry, we have the tips and guidelines to help you keep your lenses clean and safe to use.

Different Types of Contact Lens Solution

Keeping your contact lens clean is the best way to maintain your eye health and vision quality.

However, did you know that around 90 percent of contact lens owners don’t practice proper contact lens care?

In fact, if you want to keep your eyes safe, you need to know the right guidelines.

For example, knowing about the different types of disinfecting solutions and their benefits is a good place to start.

However, you should always consult your eye physician before you change your cleaning regiments.

After all, your doctor is the best person to guide you through the proper contact lens care habits.

1. Multipurpose Solution

A multipurpose solution is probably the most common disinfectant in the market. In fact, you can find multipurpose solutions in different brands wherever you go.

This is because multipurpose solutions are very versatile and easy to use. In fact, you can use this solution to clean both your lenses and your contact lens case. Additionally, you can also fill your case and store your lenses with this solution.

If you’re using soft lenses, you’re most likely using a multipurpose solution for your care system.

This is because most people who have soft lenses or disposable lenses use this type of solution for their daily needs.

Similarly, you should check out these tips If you use soft lenses or multipurpose solutions:

• Always rub and rinse your lenses with your solution whenever you take them out.
• Never add a new solution to your old solution. In fact, you should always dispose of your solution after use.
• Air dry your case after you dispose of your solution. Additionally, put your case face down on top of a clean tissue for the best results.
• Never clean your contact lens case with water! You should always use a contact lens solution to clean your case and lenses.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

This might not be very common, but you should know that some people are allergic to contact lenses. Additionally, some people are also allergic to the ingredients in generic contact lens solution.

So if you’re allergic to your solution, your doctor may recommend that you use a hydrogen peroxide solution instead. 

Hydrogen peroxide solutions come with a special contact lens case when you buy them. This is because hydrogen peroxide is a strong solution that can harm your eyes.

As a result, the special contact lens case actually turns the solution into a harmless saline solution.

If you need to use hydrogen peroxide solution, you should definitely follow these guidelines:

• Always read the label and follow the instructions that are found in your bottle of solution.
• Never use other types of cases to dip your lenses. Only use the case that comes with your solution.
• Don’t ever add a new solution to your old or used solution.
•  Remember to let your contact lenses soak for about 4 to 6 hours before you use them.
• Using your contacts right after you rinse them with a peroxide-based solution will harm your eyes.

Negative Effects of Mishandled Peroxide-Based Solution

If you don’t follow the right process, you could harm your eyes with your peroxide solution. In fact, here are the top side effects that you should look out for:

• Burning Feeling in Your Eye
• Eye Pain
• Stinging Sensation
• Red Eyes

If you feel any of these symptoms, immediately take off your lenses and rinse your eyes with clean running water.

Next, you should relax your eyes, and call for professional medical attention if the symptoms persist.

3. Daily Cleaners

Unlike your multipurpose solution, daily cleaners can only clean but not disinfect your lenses.

In other words, you can use daily cleaners to wash and rinse off any dirt on your contacts.

However, you can’t fill up and soak your contacts with daily cleaners solutions.

Daily cleaners can be very useful when you are outside of your house and you need a quick rinse.

In fact, you simply drop some daily cleaners on your hand and rub it on your contacts.

This should be enough to clean out your lense for the day. However, you should remember to rinse and soak your solution with a proper disinfecting solution when you get home. 

4. Saline Solution

Like daily cleaners, a saline solution can only clean your lens but not disinfect them.

However, saline solutions are more applicable if you use hydrogen-peroxide-based solutions to disinfect your lenses.

You can use saline solutions to rinse off any dirt or other solutions from your lenses.

In fact, you should practice rinsing your lenses with a saline solution after you soak them in a peroxide-based solution.

After all, your saline solution can help make sure that your lenses are safe to wear.

Additionally, you can ask your eye physician if a saline solution would benefit your current contact lens care system.

Your doctor may even recommend other types of solutions for your contact lenses.

5. Protein Remover

Protein remover or enzymatic protein remover solutions can essentially dissolve particles from your eyes that your lenses collect over time.

Whenever you wear your contacts, your lenses eventually soak up tiny specks of dirt.

As a result, you’ll need a protein remover solution to clean up your lens and remove those nasty particles.

However, you won’t normally need to use these. In fact, you should consult your eye physician and ask whether you need to use protein removers.

This is because the amount of deposit that your lens can build up depends on your eyes and your contact lenses.

In other words, some people may need protein removers more than others do.

So if you notice a lot of particles on your contact lenses, you should ask your doctor for approval. 

How to Clean Your Contact Lens Case

If you want to keep your eyes healthy, you need to know how to effectively use your contact lens solution.

In fact, you need to know the right ways of cleaning your lenses and contact lens case.

After all, wearing dirty lenses all day can put your eyes at risk of vision problems. With this in mind, learning about the right ways to clean your contacts is very important.

So keep your contact lenses clean and prevent the risks of eye infection. It’s time to stop wearing dirty lenses and check out our top cleaning guidelines.

1. Dispose

Disposing used or old contact lens solution is the first more important step. This is because your solution eventually loses its disinfecting capabilities.

Additionally, the solution that you soaked your lenses in is most likely full of dirt.

As a result, you need to make sure that you fully dispose of all the used solutions.

In fact, you should never “top up” or add a new solution to your case without emptying it first.

2. Rinse

After disposing of all your old contact lens solution, the next step is to rinse your case.

Don’t use water to rinse your case as it may be full of germs or bacteria. Instead, you should use a fresh set of disinfecting solutions like a multipurpose solution.

Additionally, you should use your fingers to rub off any greasy parts of your case.

Keep rinsing and rubbing the inside of your case until the walls are no longer slippery.

3. Air Dry

You should air dry your case after you disinfect it with the right solution. Make sure that you air dry your case in a clean and dry environment.

For example, never air dry your case inside a damp toilet room because it could do more harm than good.

Additionally, make sure you put a clean paper towel beneath your case when you leave it to dry.

4. Refill

Once your case is completely dry, the next step is to refill it with contact lens solution.

Remember to use the correct disinfecting solution like a multipurpose solution.

Also, don’t fill up your case too much. In fact, there should be a line inside your case that indicates how much solution to put in. 

5. Store

Finally, close your contact lens case firmly and make sure that it doesn’t leak.

Never store your contact lens case in a humid or moist place like the bathroom.

This is because the moisture in the air cold very much contaminates your case.

Instead, you should store your case inside a clean dry room that is free of moisture.

You can also apply this guideline when you leave your case to air dry.

References:

Contact Lens Wearer Demographics and Risk Behaviors for Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections — United States, 2014

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779588/

Warning Suggested for Contact Solutions

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20080610/warning-suggested-for-contact-solutions#1

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