Since contact lenses come in direct contact with the eye, whatever is on the lens - dust, pollen, bacteria, and chemicals - also reaches the eye's surface. So, before a contact lenses wearer switches to one of these systems, they should first discuss it with their eye care professional, because the fact is, contact lenses require more daily, and delicate, care than eyeglasses. To date, though, no independent studies have been performed on the devices comparing them to traditional cleaning by hand. "Anything that helps them clean their lenses and prevent problems is a help." Wai, an OD in New York City, says his patients who have tried one of the systems say they have seen an improvement over cleaning their lenses the traditional way. The lens case shields the lenses from the UV light. Germicidal light then kills the microorganisms. Waves of solution in the device create a whirlpool effect to remove debris from the lens surface. Prices range from about $30 for the Clensatron system to $90 for Lens Comfort, which comes with a three-month supply of multipurpose cleaning solution.Ī different type of system called PuriLens combines subsonic cleaning and UV-C light. Products go by the names Clensatron, LenSoClean, Lens Comfort, Lens Medic, and Quick Care. The process - known as cavitation - causes oils, dirt, and deeply bound protein to fall off the lens. Here's how they work: When high frequency ultrasonic waves pass through the cleaning solution, microscopic bubbles form, expand, then collapse within the liquid. They can be used with all types of contact lenses: hard, soft, gas permeable, and disposable. The new devices - approved in 1999 by the FDA - use either ultrasonic or subsonic waves to clean protein buildup, oils, pollen, and dust from lenses, eliminating the need for handling by the wearer. However, the American Optometric Association suspects a good portion of users don't clean them properly and may develop serious eye diseases as a result, such as corneal ulcers. With some 32 million Americans wearing contact lenses for vision correction today, they're often viewed as a commodity, not a medical device. And that's important, because unclean contacts carry high risks. There are new devices on the market - using ultrasonic waves - that claim to do a better job than many contact lens wearers can do by hand. Even with the all-in-one cleaners that are popular today, some people feel that cleaning lenses is still a difficult task and may not keep an eye on how well they do it.īut don't fret, there may be good news. 8, 2000 - If you have been wearing contact lenses for a while, you probably remember the cumbersome task that cleaning the lenses used to be with the heat disinfection units and the multiple cleaning solutions. Lastly, hydrogen peroxide solutions for the eyes contain surfactants which help clean the lenses and keep them comfortable.Sept. Moreover, they are also not buffered to the pH of your tears at 7.4-7.6. The cheaper brown bottles of peroxide are not tested under the same quality standards and may not be compatible with contact lenses or your eyes. Solutions approved for ophthalmic use go through rigorous testing with clinical trials, undergo evaluations regarding the stability of the solution, and must meet strict purification/sterility requirements. The regular hydrogen peroxides are NOT approved by Health Canada for ophthalmic use. I had a question from a patient regarding the difference between the cheaper “brown” bottles of peroxide and the more expensive contact lens solution version (e.g. Basically, it’s great IF you follow the instructions! If you accidentally put the hydrogen peroxide solution into your eyes before it is neutralized, you’ll experience an uncomfortable stinging sensation and possible corneal damage. Once it’s neutralized (over a 6 hour period), the neutralized hydrogen peroxide is safe for your eyes. The solution needs to be neutralized with a catalytic disc which is usually built into the case that comes with the solution. I often recommend hydrogen peroxide contact lens disinfection solutions because it has broad anti-bacterial activity and is preservative-free.
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