Wearing two-weekly or monthly contact lenses means you must take extra care in cleaning your contact lenses, to maintain healthy, infection free eyes.
There are two main ways to care for your contact lenses with solutions. These include:
- Multipurpose contact lens solution
- Hydrogen peroxide solution
Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution
This type of solution both cleans and disinfects your contact lenses.
There are many multipurpose solutions that are ‘no-rub’ solutions. Which means you use the same solution to clean, disinfect and store your contact lenses. This type of solution eliminates the need to physically rub your contact lenses.
However, our optometrists recommend rubbing the contact lenses, to remove all deposits and increase the effectiveness of the multipurpose solution in cleaning the lens.
Cleaning steps for using multipurpose contact lens solution:
- Wash your hands using antibacterial hand wash and where possible dry your hands with a clean lint-free towel
- Remove contact lens
- Place your contact lens in the palm of your hand, pour a small amount of the multipurpose solution over the lens and gently rub both sides with your finger a few times. This will dislodge any dirt and protein
- Then thoroughly rinse the contact lens with your multipurpose solution
- Store your contact lens in your case with the multipurpose solution
- Repeat the same for your other contact lens
- Next morning insert your contact lenses, pour the solution from the case down the sink and let the case air dry
- Caution – never use tap water to clean, rinse or store your contact lenses
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Hydrogen peroxide solution is a great alternative solution if you are sensitive to preservatives in multipurpose solutions. It is very effective against acanthomoeba eye infection, which is particularly harmful to your eyes, causing a serious eye infection.
Cleaning steps for using hydrogen peroxide solution:
- Wash your hands using antibacterial hand wash and where possible dry your hands with a clean lint-free towel
- Remove contact lens
- Place the contact lenses in the appropriate slots within the specific contact lens case
- Pour the hydrogen peroxide solution into your lens holder, until you reach the line
- Caution – never exceed the line marked on your case
- There are two ways the hydrogen peroxide can be turned to water and oxygen. Either there will be a built-in platinum disc at the bottom of the case, or you will have to use a neutralising tablet
- Now close the case tightly and leave the case upright over night for a minimum of six hours. This allows the neutralisation process to be fully completed
- Caution – If the hydrogen peroxide is not fully neutralised and comes into contact with your eyes, it could seriously damage and discomfort to your cornea
- Next day in the morning, rinse your lens with saline solution and place in your eyes
- Your contact lens case should be rinsed with saline solution and left to air dry. Your contact lens case should be replaced every month
If you accidently come into contact with peroxide solution, please call us immediately and book an emergency appointment with our optometrist.