How to choose the right contact lens solution
Contact lenses are becoming the new normal. Statistics show that in the U.S. alone, about 40.9 million people use contact lenses. If you have ever considered using contact lenses, or maybe you currently use a contact lens, it is crucial that you choose the best contact lens for your eyes.
There are several things to consider, and we will touch on them in this article. You must be intentional about the contact lens you wear because it could expose your eyes to infections and other things that could harm them.
Just as you must choose your contact lens carefully, knowing how to take care of them is just as important to maintaining proper eye health. Contact lens solutions help to cleanse and disinfect your contact lenses.
On the internet, you will find many a cleaning solution to choose from. However, in this article, we will show you how to choose the best contact lens solution without breaking a sweat. But before we go on, we must point out that the best person to recommend a contact lens solution for you is an eye care professional. So, this article is but a guide and does not replace an eye care professional.
Before we go into the details of what a lens cleaning solution is and the types, let us touch a bit on contact lenses and the basic types they have.
Know your contacts
We can group the different types of contact lenses based on different criteria, such as the kind of material they were made, the reason for their use, and the length of time you’ll use them before disposing of them. Here are some types of contact lens.
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made of soft and supple material. You will find it easy to adjust them. Also– sitting on the cornea– they provide more comfort and convenience than rigid gas permeable lenses.
Rigid gas permeable lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses are also known as gas permeable contact. They are made of much stronger material than soft contact lenses. However, they last longer and do not easily tear. Also, they are not as prone to debris settling in them and though you may not find them comfortable for the first few weeks, you’ll get used to them over time.
Disposable contact lens
Disposable contact lenses refer to the category based on the length of time. There are some that must be disposed of each day. They are known as daily disposables, and while there are some, you could use them for about 7 to 30 days before disposing of them.
Just like all contact lenses, they must be prescribed by an eye care professional. Never neglect the place of a professional.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contacts
Ortho-K contact lenses are special contact lenses that you wear only when you sleep. An eye care professional recommends it to you to help shape your cornea. It corrects your vision in the long term. It is usually hard and rigid.
Decorative contact lens
The decorative contact lens is also known as a cosmetic contact lens. It is used for fashion, for example, to change the colour of your eyes. It is also used for special effects, for example, to give your desired spooky look during Halloween. It does not have to correct your vision; however, it is still considered a medical tool.
Since we have identified some types of contact lenses, let’s talk about the different types of lens solutions that you use to disinfect the contacts and how to choose the best contact lens solution.
Know the types of solution
There are different types of solutions. You must follow the instructions on how to use each one to disinfect your contact lenses. Let’s start with number one.
Multi purpose solution
Multi purpose solutions are also known as all-in-one solution. You can use its content to cleanse and disinfect at the same time—no need for other solutions.
The multipurpose solution is only used for soft contact lenses and cannot be used for rigid gas permeable lenses Multi purpose solution should only be used on To use it, follow the directions:
Wash your hands thoroughly
Place your lenses in one hand and apply the contact solution. Next, you’ll rub them.
Use your fingers to rub or scrub them well with the solution in them. You’ll need the saline solution now.
Apply a saline solution to the contact lenses before you put them on.
Hydrogen peroxide solutions
These types of solutions are hydrogen peroxide based. It must not be used for soft lenses. They are more reliable and should come in contact with your eyes. The lens solution is applied to rigid gas permeable lenses. It is perfect for those with sensitive eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide solution is great for disinfecting your contact lens; however, you will apply it differently than the multi purpose cleaning solution. To apply this type of solution, follow the following steps:
You need a container. This is where you will apply the hydrogen peroxide based solution.
Add the solution to the container. Next, get your lenses.
Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses
Insert them into the container
Now, leave them to soak for a few hours, say 5 to 6 hours of the day. Next is rinsing.
You will rinse your contacts with a saline solution. The process requires you to rinse your contacts because the hydrogen peroxide based solution is unsafe for your eyes and should not have direct contact with them.
Rigid gas permeable solutions
It is important to use the right solution for the right contact. Rigid gas permeable solutions should be used for only rigid gas permeable contact and never on soft contact lenses.
Saline solution
Saline solutions are used to rinse the contact lens before wearing them on your eyes. They are not disinfectants. As we mentioned earlier, after soaking your contact lenses in hydrogen peroxide solution, you must rinse them with a lens cleaning solution.
If you use the multi purpose solution, you may not need to use a saline solution. However, let an eye care professional decide what is best for you.
Enzymatic protein cleanser
This one has a specific function. The eyes could leave some proteinous substance on the contact lens. The protein cleanser, when added to the solution, helps clear these residues.
Also, it is helpful for you if you have sensitive eyes. It works better when you use it with a rigid permeable contact lens.
Choose a brand
Having to choose a contact lens solution is a lot easier if you let a professional recommend one. However, if you notice a negative reaction to a particular brand, immediately make complaints and change it. Also, choose something that feels convenient and comfortable.
Side bar: This is little reminder that this article is a guide and does not replace a professional.
You can order contact lenses without Rx veryfication :
DAILIES AQUA COMFORT PLUS (30)
The Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus made by CIBA Vision (now Alcon) comes with 30 lenses per box, good for 1 month use. It gives yo...
Freshlook One Day contact lenses
Contact lens wearers who opt for daily colored disposable contacts should consider Freshlook One Day contact lenses. Made by ...
1-DAY ACUVUE TRUEYE (30)
The 1-day Acuvue TruEye (30) lens made by Johnson and Johnson, offers the highest UVA and UVB blocking among disposable conta...
Final thoughts
Just as choosing your contact lenses requires intentionality, you should also choose your contact lenses with intentionality because they determine the health of your contacts. Also, you must see an eye care professional to get a prescription. A doctor will tell you what is best for you.
Also, follow all the instructions assigned to the type of contact solution you are assigned and store them properly in a case (most contact lenses come with a case, but if yours does not, you can easily purchase them at a pharmacy store).
Finally, you should not use your contact lens beyond its prescribed time of usage. If it is meant for daily usage, dispose of it daily; if it could be worn for an extended period, still seek to change it when you can.
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