Contact Lens Solution
Soft & Ridgid Lens Solution
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What many people don't realize is that the solution used with your contact lenses is just as important as the contact lenses you put in your eyes each day. In fact, many contact lens related problems are due to solution incompatibility – that is, either the contact lens and the solution do not work well together, or the person using the contact lens solution is allergic to it.
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As you are likely to know if you've ever made a visit to the contact lens solution section in a drugstore, the choices are widespread. The most common contact lens solutions you'll find include Opti-Free Express, Complete Comfort Plus, Clear Care, UltraCare, and SoloCare. Most solutions are designed for
soft contact lens
wearers, simply because they are the most popular and the most comfortable contacts to wear. Contact lens solutions that are designed for hard
RGP contact lenses
include such solutions as Boston Simplus, Boston Advance, Unique pH, and SoloCare Hard. The vast majority of people will have no problems with switching contact lens solutions, but this should not be done without the advice of an optometrist. Eye doctors are trained in the knowledge of contact lens solutions and their effect on different people and on different contact lenses.
Contact Lens Solution Types
Contact lens solutions can be broadly categorized into two main groups: solutions for rigid gas permeable contacts, and solutions for soft contacts. While soft contact lens solution can be used for RGP lenses, you must never use RGP solutions for soft contact lenses.
- Soft Contact Lens Solutions
There are two general types of soft contact lens solutions, which are categorized according to their method of disinfection. The more popular type is based on chemical disinfection, and includes such solutions as Opti-Free Express, ReNu Multiplus and Complete. These solutions are the most user-friendly, as they require only one multi-purpose solution.
The other type of disinfection is hydrogen-peroxide based. These contact lens solutions often involve the use of either a platinum disc or a neutralization tablet with an indicator. Hydrogen peroxide is the most effective way of disinfecting and removing protein and lipid build-up from a contact lens. Hydrogen peroxide based solutions include ClearCare, UltraCare, and AOSept. While hydrogen peroxide based solutions are extremely effective, it is important never to allow the solution to come into contact with your eye unless it has been neutralized.
- Rigid Contact Lens Solutions
Rigid contact lens solutions can also be divided into two basic categories: 1 step solutions and 2 step solutions. Two step solutions are the more conventional systems, in which there is a cleaner, which is used to disinfect the contact lens, and a wetting/soaking solution to store and rinse off the contact lens. These systems are effective in cleaning the contact lens, but some people may find them to be too much trouble. Solutions with a 2-step system include Boston Original, Boston Advance, Opti-Soak (with Opti-Clean), and Wet-n-Soak Plus.
One-step systems for RGP solutions are much newer and more convenient. The cleaner and the soaking solution are incorporated into one bottle. This solution is used for both disinfection and soaking. Examples of this one-step system for RGP contact lens care include Boston Simplus, Unique pH, and SoloCare Hard.
Tempted by Cheap Contact Lens Solution?
Have you ever noticed that if you buy the generic brand of contact lens solution, you can save yourself a few bucks? Many of us have felt this temptation, and many have acted upon it. What you probably want to know is how this is affecting your eyes. The way in which stores can produce cheap contact lens solutions is by buying the old contact lens solutions from the big brand manufacturers. Unfortunately, this means that you are buying a contact lens solution that is outdated – there are better, more effective solutions available. While these name brand solutions are more expensive, they are less likely to cause an allergic response and they are less likely to irritate your eye. Additionally, the life of your contact lenses can be prolonged. Pay a little extra upfront and receive the longterm benefits.
Choosing the Right Contact Lens Solution
Allergic reaction to a contact lens solution is one of the most common contact lens complications there is. Fortunately with newer contact lens solutions, this doesn't occur as often as it used to, but it is still a consideration. If you find that each time you put your contact lenses in, your eyes turn red, it is definitely a possibility that you are having a hypersensitive reaction. In this case, your eye doctor will be able to prescribe a new contact lens solution for you that contains a different preservative.
Some individuals are more prone to protein build-up on their lenses than others. Hydrogen peroxide based solutions are especially effective in minimizing this build-up.
The best person to choose your contact lens solution is your eye doctor. Once he/she has determined which solution will work best for you, feel free to shop around for the best price!
No Rub? Is this For Real?
The latest craze in contact lens solutions is the concept of "No Rub." This is a most unfortunate advancement for optometrists to deal with, however, as the fine print requires that instead of rubbing lenses, contact lens wearers must continually pour solution over each side of their lenses for 5 seconds. That's 10 seconds of pouring out your contact lens solution. That's a lot of solution being poured out each day - can you afford it? Personally, I prefer to rub. Even the "No Rub" contact lens solutions can be used just as you've always used them, making sure to rub them after each use. Rubbing your contacts in solution is a crucial part of maintaining clean lenses.
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