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Lens Solution

When shopping for contact lens solution, be aware that there are many types and brands on the store shelf. In most cases, you want to buy the same contact lens solution prescribed by your eye doctor. Don’t switch to a different brand of contact lens solution without checking with your eye doctor.

Lens solution is available for all types of contact lenses. Below is a brief description of the different types available.

Solutions for Soft Contacts: Soft contacts are made from a flexible material and several types of lens solution/care products are made for soft contacts.

Saline lens solution is simply salt water. Saline is used only to rinse off contact lenses. Do not soak your contacts in saline lens solution.

Cleaner solution is the soap you use to clean your contacts. This type of cleaning, like washing your dishes, is called “rubbing.” These solutions should never be on the lens when it is inserted onto the eye

Multipurpose contact lens solution is an “all-in-one lens” solution. This lens solution lets you rinse, clean and store (disinfect) your contacts with one bottle of lens solution. Using only one bottle is very convenient and there aren’t several bottles to mix up.

Solutions for Rigid Contacts: These contacts are smaller than soft lenses and not floppy. Depending on the plastic they are made from, they are called by different names: hard, rigid gas permeable (RGP) or gas permeable (GP).

Saline contact solution can be used for rinsing rigid contacts, too.

Cleaners for soft and rigid lenses are different. Soft contact cleaners are usually safe to use for rigid contacts, but don’t use rigid contact cleaners for soft lenses as this could result in damage to a soft lens. As with soft lens cleaners, these solution should never be put into your eyes.

Conditioning lens solution is used for rigid contacts only. This lens solution disinfects your rigid contacts as well as adds comfort by coating the lens.

Generic versions of the various lens solutions are also on the shelves. Stay away from store brands of lens solution because manufacturers of these solutions change over time. You might get a solution similar to the lens solution you are currently using, or you might get a solution which isn’t the best choice for you. Stick with the brand of lens solution your eye doctor prescribes.