What is contact solution made of?

• Buffering 

• Preserving 

• Disinfecting 

• Rinsing 

• Wetting 

• Lubricating

There's a lot going on here, so let's unpack it.

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Buffering agents 

Buffering refers to the balancing of pH. This is a measure of how acidic a fluid is. If contact lens solution was too acidic, it would be like lemon juice or vinegar. Too alkaline, and it slides toward drain cleaner territory (i.e. bad for the eyes). Buffers like phosphate and borate help keep the solution balanced and safe. 

Preservatives 

Preservatives do for contact solution the same thing they do in processed bread: They stop decay and prevent it from going bad (remember how bread used to go bad after 3 days, but now it lasts 2 months? Preservatives.) 

Disinfectants 

Contact solution has to be sterile to be safe, and the only way to do that is to include some disinfectants. This is usually a hydrogen peroxide-based agent, which kills germs on contact lenses as easily as it does in a paper cut. 

Rinsing agents

This is mainly saline. It does the mechanical job of swishing around and shoving dirt and debris off your lenses.

Wetting agents 

Various surfactants help break down its surface tension. This gets more fluid into the microscopic nooks and crannies of your lenses and encourages the silicone hydrogel material of the lenses to retain more moisture. 

Lubrication 

A thin film in the contact solution reduces friction and helps it slide into position over the eyes. Lubrication sounds like a minor concern for contact lenses, but you discover how not-true that is if you ever try to insert dry contacts without a thin lubricating film over them.

The many varieties of contact lens solution 

From multipurpose to mighty-specific, let's dive into the world of contact lens solution types. 

Multipurpose solutions

This is the general purpose one-size-fits-most approach to keeping contact lenses in shape. If you've just started with solution, this is probably your first product. Most of these solutions have all the ingredients listed above but in a relatively balanced ratio that creates a sterile, gentle rinse you can soak your lenses in and not think about too much. For most people, this is good enough to clean, disinfect, hydrate, and generally care for regular contact lenses.

Hydrogen peroxide solutions 

These solutions are harsher and require a more neutralizing agent to balance them back toward a neutral pH. The hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer that effectively causes microbes to rust to death, strengthening the sterilizing effect at the potential cost of some comfort for the user.

Gas-permeable solution

People who use gas-permeable lenses might need a special solution to properly care for their contacts. Ask your eye care professional (hey, you can do that during a scheduled eye exam!) whether you need anything special for gas-permeable lenses. People who use these hard contact lenses usually get by better with a two-stage solution that cleans and conditions the lens film. Think of it as having more lubrication than most other contact solutions. 

Honorable mention: enzymatic tablets 

Gas-permeable contact solution isn't all that great at disinfecting lenses, so every 2 weeks (or so), it's good to plop in some enzymatic tablets. These dissolving tablets basically trigger a chemical reaction that digests away organic contaminants like germs and gives lenses a little extra cleaning when they're starting to need it.

So, what is contact lens solution made of? 

There are several types of contact lens solutions, and each has its place. Most use the same basic (or acidic, if you will) ingredients, but in different proportions to meet certain needs. Which type is right for you depends on the lenses you use, what feels best on your eyes, and the advice you get from your eye care professional. Schedule an appointment today and save on your prescriptions with these great online coupons. 

 

FAQs 

Can I use any solution for my contact lenses? 

Multipurpose solutions are generally good for most people. If you're wearing specialty lenses, such as gas-permeable contacts, only use the solution your eye care professional recommends.

How often should I change my contact lens solution? 

Change your solution every day. Try not to reuse solution from last night if you can help it. In an emergency, you might get away with this once, but try not to make a habit out of it. 

What happens if I use expired contact lens solution? 

Nothing very terrible happens to most people who use expired solutions, but you shouldn't do it. Over time, the solution gets less effective at disinfecting lens material, making it more likely you'll experience irritation and even get an infection.