Understanding Contact Lense Solutions

Using the right contact lense solutions is the most important step in maintaining your contact lenses.  It doesn't matter how great your contact lenses are; if you don't take proper care of them, they will quickly develop build-up of deposits.  This can result in discomfort, unclear vision, and can lead to eye infections and even blindness.

Unless you use daily disposable contact lenses, you will need to care for your contact lenses.  If you wear extended wear lenses, you need to clean your lenses every time to you remove them.  If you take your lenses out every night, you need to clean them every night.    Most lenses require daily cleaning and weekly disinfecting; but every brand is different and it is important to follow the instructions that apply to your particular lenses.

If you are new to using contact lenses, it can be a little overwhelming to understand what is involved in contact lense care.  The first step is to understand the different types of lense solutions and what they do.

• Cleaning Solutions remove debris and deposits that build up from daily wear.  Consistent cleaning maintains the comfort and visual clarity of your lenses.  A good contact lense cleaner is one of the most important products you will use on your lenses. 

• Rinsing Solutions are usually made of saline, and are used for rinsing the cleaning solution off the lenses (never use tap water on your contact lenses, as this can lead to serious infection).  Saline is also the most commonly used contact lense solution in which you store your lenses in the case. 

• Disinfecting Solutions destroy bacteria and germs that build up on contact lenses.  There are different types of disinfecting solutions for different types of lenses. 

• Multipurpose Solution is, as the name implies, an all-in-one solution; it cleans, rinses, disinfects, and stores your lenses.  This obviously cuts down on the amount of contact lense solutions that you need to buy, use, and store. 

• Wetting Solutions maintain moisture on the lenses.  Many people experience dry eyes after a day of wear or when wearing their lenses outside; wetting solutions or drops can improve comfort and keep lenses moist. 

It is important to consult with your eye care doctor or the manufacturer of your contact lenses to see which products are best for your brand of contacts.  Many contact lenses are not compatible with certain solutions; and using the wrong solutions with the wrong lenses can ruin your lenses, cause infections, and even lead to blindness. 

It is also important to realize that generic or store brand names often change suppliers, although they maintain the same brand name or label.  This means that the formula can change, but you will never know it; and the new formula which used to work great on your lenses is now incompatible. 

While at first it may seem confusing, taking care of your lenses is important; and understanding the various contact lense solutions is the first step toward long, comfortable wear. 

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Other Topics to read:

Contact Lense Care
Contact Lense Solution
Contact Lense Cleaner