Chemical Disinfection of Soft Contact Lenses

What is chemical disinfection of soft contact lenses?

During normal wear, dirt, protein particles, and germs can get on soft contacts. Chemical disinfection is one way to kill the germs that can cause serious eye infections and a possible loss of sight. The rest of the cleaning process protects your eyes from irritation and removes substances that may shorten the life of the lens.

When is it done?

Soft contacts must be disinfected every time you remove them. If you have daily-wear or extended-wear soft contacts, you will clean and disinfect them every night. (Most eye care providers recommend that all contacts be taken out before sleeping, even so-called extended wear contacts.) Disposable contacts should be thrown away rather than cleaned and reused.

There are several ways to disinfect soft contact lenses. When your provider recommends chemical disinfection, the basic procedure includes cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and rinsing again.

How is it done?

You will need separate solutions for cleaning, disinfecting, and rinsing. You will also need a contact lens case.

To clean and disinfect your lenses properly, follow the instructions of your cleaning system carefully. Always handle your lenses gently (soft contacts can tear). Be sure to keep track of which is the right lens and which is the left. It may help if you always handle the right lens first. In general, you will be instructed to follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands before you handle your lenses.
2. Cleaning: Remove the right lens and put it in the palm of your hand so that it curves up (like a bowl). Pour a few drops of daily cleaner over the lens. Using one finger, rub the lens back and forth. The daily cleaner helps dissolve dirt and oils.
3. Rinsing: Either cradle the lens in your fingertips or leave it in your palm, and rinse it thoroughly using the sterile saline rinsing solution.
4. Disinfecting: Fill the lens case with disinfecting solution. Put the lens in the correct side of the case. Repeat these steps with the left lens. With most disinfection solutions, the lenses must soak for several hours. It is best to let them soak overnight, but they must soak for at least the minimum time given in the product instructions.

Wash your hands with plain soap before you put your lenses in your eyes. Remove one lens from the case, rinse it thoroughly with the sterile saline rinsing solution, and then put it in. Repeat with the other lens.

Rinse the case thoroughly with tap water, and either dry it or let it air dry. Never store your lenses in tap water because this can lead to severe infections.

Make sure that your solutions are clearly marked so that you do not confuse the different bottles. Some solutions can be irritating or harmful if they are put directly in the eye.

Is any other kind of cleaning needed?

To help remove protein deposits, your eye care provider may recommend enzyme cleaning. Enzyme cleaning is usually done once every week or two. Using the enzyme cleaner on the same day each week may help you to remember when enzyme cleaning is needed.

Most enzyme cleaners come in tablet form. Follow the directions on the package of enzyme cleaner. Then clean, disinfect, and rinse your lenses before putting them in your eyes.

What solutions should I use?

Many contact lens care products are sold today. Your eye care provider will recommend certain products based on what is best for your contacts and safest for your eyes. Other products might work just as well. However, using different solutions may irritate your eyes or discolor your lenses. Always check with your eye care provider before you switch contact lens solutions. Always read the instructions that come with your products. Never use homemade solutions to clean, rinse, or store the lenses.

Reviewed for medical accuracy by faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. Web site: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/

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