A Quick Guide to Contact Lens Solutions

If you wear contact lenses that you use more than once, you’ll need some type of contact lens solution to keep them clean and safe. In today’s post, your local eye doctor and scleral optometrist at Lumen Optometric shares a quick guide on contact lens solutions.

Multipurpose Vs. Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

There are two types of contact lens solutions: multipurpose and hydrogen peroxide-based. They serve the same purpose — disinfect your contacts and remove debris — but they work in different ways.

Multipurpose solution, also known as all-in-one solution, is simple to use. Wash your hands, put your contacts in your palm, then moisten the lenses with the multipurpose solution. While some types of multipurpose solutions are marketed as “no rub” products, experts recommend rubbing the lenses with it for 10 seconds to remove remaining debris. Apply a drop of saline solution in each lense to rinse before wearing it.

Hydrogen peroxide solution, on the other hand, requires more time or attention. Unlike multipurpose solutions, this type of contact lens solution does not “spoil,” and is ideal for people who are sensitive to certain chemicals, or for those undergoing therapy like dry eye treatment. Hydrogen peroxide solution is more effective at disinfecting contact lenses, but it must not touch the eye directly. To use it, fill a small case with the solution (most contact lenses come with such a case) and soak them for six to eight hours. Before taking out the contacts, a neutralizer must be applied to turn the hydrogen peroxide to a plain saline solution.

Which One Should You Choose?

Between the two, the multipurpose solution is the more cost-effective and easy-to-use, and can be used virtually anywhere as long as you have a contact lens case or a clean surface to clean them in. However, it is not as effective at disinfecting contact lenses as the hydrogen peroxide solution. Making it an all-in-one solution requires certain chemicals that may not be ideal for some people who may be sensitive to certain substances. This also means it has a shorter shelf life.

The hydrogen peroxide solution is more effective at cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, but there is a risk of harming the eye if one were to forget applying the neutralizer. It is also important not to reuse or top off the solution after use. Contact lens cases must also be replaced every one to three months to cut the risk of infection.

Lumen Optometric is your leading provider of eye care services, including Neurolens treatment. Give us a call at (626) 921-0199. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.