British Contact Lens Association

Contact lens solutions

Most contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected with solutions in order to provide optimal performance and, in the case of soft lenses, to keep them hydrated. The exception is daily disposable lenses, worn for a day and thrown away, which do not require solutions and should never be stored once opened.

The aim of a disinfecting solution is to reduce the number of microorganisms that accumulate on the lenses with wear and to minimise the risk of infection with contact lenses. Cleaning solutions can also improve comfort by conditioning the lens surface and making it more wettable. A ‘rub and rinse’ step with solution is also recommended as part of your lens care regime, before you put the lenses on your eyes and before you store them. This step helps to physically remove some of the substances that deposit on the lens surface during wear.

All lens care procedures are important but some hygiene measures are crucial. Make sure you empty the lens case of solution after each use, clean it with fresh solution and air dry it, then refill with fresh solution each time the lenses are stored. Your lens case should be replaced on a regular basis, usually every month. Poor lens case hygiene can increase the risk of problems with your lenses.

There are many types and brands of contact lens solution, each with different ingredients and for different lens types. Some lens/solution combinations are not compatible so it’s important to use the solution recommended to you by your contact lens practitioner and always to follow instructions carefully. It is good practice for your practitioner to record the recommended solutions on your contact lens specification. Contact lens solutions carry an expiry date and the discard date is normally 2-6 months after opening. If you don’t use your lenses every day, it’s a good idea to mark the date of opening the solution on the bottle so you know when to throw it away.

Multipurpose solutions are the simplest and most convenient type of contact lens solution and are designed to clean, rub, rinse and store lenses. The minimum storage time to ensure adequate disinfection varies but is generally 4-6 hours. Hydrogen peroxide solutions work in a different way and incorporate a metallic disc in the case, or tablet to add to the solution, or different solution to use, to neutralise the disinfectant before wear. The minimum storage time is usually 6 hours. With these solutions it’s particularly important to follow instructions to avoid discomfort.

Other lens care products include special cleaning drops and tablets, usually for rigid lenses, and also comfort and re-wetting drops which can be used with the lenses on the eye. Saline solutions are sometimes recommended for rinsing lenses before they are applied to the eye but should not be used for storing lenses. Only use these products if advised to do so by your contact lens practitioner. No other solutions, including any type of water, or saliva, should come into contact with your lenses.