Solution Incompatibilities

When are contact lens solutions considered incompatible?

Contact lens solutions are incompatible when their use irritates your eyes or discolors your lenses.

What types of solutions are available?

Different solutions are required for each type of contact lenses. Use only solutions designed for your type of lenses.

Gas permeable ("hard") lenses require special cleaners, soaking solutions, and wetting solutions. Wetting solutions are used to moisten the lenses while you wear them.

Soft lenses require many solutions including:

• daily cleaners
• disinfecting solutions (either chemicals or hydrogen peroxide, which sometimes includes a neutralizing solution)
• enzyme cleaners
• rinsing and storage solutions

What problems are caused by incompatible solutions?

Different solutions contain different preservatives. If some lenses come in contact with more than one preservative, a chemical reaction can occur. The byproducts of the chemical reaction can irritate your eye or discolor your contacts.

Solutions may cause problems even if they are not used together. For example, you may have problems when you try changing to a different brand of solution. Some contacts can become discolored if you switch from chemical disinfection to a hydrogen peroxide cleaning system. Even switching from one brand of hydrogen peroxide cleaner to another can damage your lenses.

In general, soft contact lenses are the most likely to be affected by changing products. But problems can also occur with gas permeable contacts. For example, gas permeable lenses can become gummy when exposed to wetting or soaking solutions that contain certain chemicals.

How can I avoid problems caused by solutions?

Using the right lens care products may sound complicated. However, you can avoid nearly all problems by following these guidelines:

• Always use the contact lens solution and disinfecting method your eye care provider recommends.
• Always read the labels on your contact lens solutions and follow the instructions carefully.
• If you see a new product you would like to try, ask your provider first.