Which contact lens solution do I need?

Medically reviewed by Sharon Copeland on 8 December 2020

There are a variety of contact lens solutions, including hydrogen peroxide, saline solutions, all-purpose and multi-purpose solution. You'll also find that contact solution ingredients vary, and many opt for a preservative-free contact lens solution. Saline solution for contacts usually offers this and tend to be a popular choice for rinsing and wetting soft lenses.

If you wear monthly contact lenses, two weekly contact lenses, or yearly contact lenses, it's important to take care of them properly.

Two weekly or monthly contact lenses can be worn daily but must be removed at night. They'll then need to be cleaned thoroughly and stored using a contact lens solution. This will ensure they are fresh, clean and hygienic to wear the next morning. Your eyes will be less prone to irritation, and you'll find more comfort in wearing your contact lenses.

If you're a rigid gas permeable contact lens wearer, you can find a range of solutions suited to clean your contacts.

Most contact lens wearers opt for soft contact lenses. Wearing soft lenses means you have a wider variety of options for your contact lens cleaning routine.

What are multi-purpose contact lens solutions?

The most convenient of soft contact lens solutions are multi-purpose solutions. These offer an all-in-one product designed to clean, disinfect, rinse, and store your contact lenses.

Most are suitable for all soft contact lenses; however, there are even multi-purpose contact lens solutions for rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Multi-purpose solution is the best solution for those with a hectic, busy lifestyle. After a full day of wear, remove your lenses, cover with multi-purpose solution and rub gently to loosen any dirt or debris. Once you have done this, you can rinse them again with fresh solution. You can then proceed to fill up your contact lens case with fresh solution and place your lenses inside to store overnight. Never top-up old solution with new. Multi-purpose solution should be used to rinse a contact lens case NOT tap water and let the case air dry

An all-in-one product such as our multi-purpose contact lens solutions will save you time and effort to ensure that your lenses are clean and clear.

Should you find that your eyes are sensitive and become irritated after using multi-purpose solution, switch to a saline solution instead.

What are rigid gas permeable contact lens solutions?

When cleaning rigid and gas permeable contact lenses, you'll need to use a rigid gas permeable contact lens solution.

These contact lens solutions have been specifically designed to clean the surfaces of rigid gas permeable contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable lenses don't feature any water in their design and are predominantly made from silicone. As a result, these lenses require a different type of cleaning solution.

Fortunately, you can find a range of RGP solutions tailored to different contact lens cleaning needs.

Best gas permeable contact lens solution

We provide rigid gas permeable contact lens solutions that offer a two-step process for cleaning and neutralising your contact lenses. Our Boston Advance and Total Care solutions are the best for gas permeable contacts. Alternatively, you can find convenient all in one contact lens solution for rigid gas permeable contact lenses such as Boston Simplus.

It is essential to use the correct contact lens cleaning solution to prevent eye irritation. Using the right lens solution will also ensure your lenses provide your eyes with optimal comfort throughout the day.

What are saline solutions?

Saline solutions are gentle, preservative-free contact lens solutions, comprised of a sterile mix of salt and water. These solutions are suitable for rinsing and storing your lenses (for brief moments only, such as when in the shower). They will wash away any dirt or debris from the surface and rewet your lenses to enhance comfort.

Due to their disinfectant-free design, saline solutions are not suitable for cleaning or disinfecting your lenses. Instead, you'll need to use a contact lens solution before using saline. This will ensure that your eyes don't suffer irritation. However, you'll still find saline solution an effective product to use for the final steps of your contact lens cleaning routine.

Saline solution is, therefore, a useful tool in your contact lens cleaning kit. If your contact lens picks dirt or dust during the day, remove the lens and rinse it saline solution.

Popular saline solutions include Lens Plus and Sensitive Eyes Plus Saline Solution.

Which is the best contact lens solution for sensitive eyes?

Sensitive eyes can experience irritation easily, so it's best to find the right lens care product for you. Sensitive Eyes Plus Saline Solution is a quality product from Bausch & Lomb. It can be used to rinse your lenses after they have been cleaned and disinfected – usually with a hydrogen peroxide solution. The gentle formula is ideal for those who suffer from dry eyes and can be used with all soft contact lenses, including silicone hydrogel contacts. You can also use this solution with RGP lenses.

You'll find this solution will enable your vision to be crisp and clear when wearing contacts as well as increase your comfort in wearing them.

What are hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions?

Hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions typically provide a deeper clean and achieve a higher level of hygiene than other solutions. They are also better suited to sensitive eyes.

These solutions have been designed to take care of cleaning, disinfecting, rinsing and storing all soft contact lenses. They don't contain the preservatives often featured in multi-purpose contact lens solutions. This makes them ideal for anyone allergic to preservatives, or those with ultra-sensitive eyes. They will provide comfort to your everyday wearing, and you'll be able to see clearly through your lenses.

Hydrogen peroxide solutions come with a special contact lens case, featuring a basket to go inside the case. To clean your lenses, place your lens in the basket and rinse with a few drops of solution. This should be done before adding the basket to your solution-filled storage case and leaving it overnight.

Some of these specialised contact lens cases will have a built-in neutraliser (that's the catalyst disc the grey bit in the bottom of the case). Neutralising the hydrogen peroxide solution ensures your contact lenses are safe to wear. Doing this also minimises the risk of irritation or discomfort. Solutions such as EasySept and AOsept Plus HydraGlyde offer these specialised contact lens cases with a catalytic disk. The peroxide in these solutions erodes the disc. The disc acts as a catalyst to change the peroxide into gas and air. These bubbles clean the lenses so that you are therefore not required to rub the lenses with a solution like you would with a multi-purpose or all-purpose solution.

Never use new solution with an old case as the disc would have eroded and therefore the peroxide will not be changed into gas and air to give your lenses an effective clean.

Oxysept 1 Step is accompanied by a supply of neutralising tablets to add to the solution-filled case. They work to neutralise your lenses, ensuring they're safe to wear again.

Does contact lens solution expire?

Yes, contact lens solution always has an expiration date, regardless of whether it's a multi-purpose, saline, hydrogen peroxide or RGP solution.

Using contact lens solution after its expiration date can be hazardous due to contamination. This can lead to a build-up of bacteria or infection, causing irritation to the eye.

You should therefore always check the expiration date when you open your new bottle and know when your current bottle is going to expire.

When opening a new solution, it is advised that you write the date on the packaging so that you can be sure how old the solution is and therefore know when to throw it away.

Some multi-purpose solutions should be thrown away after two months of opening while others should be thrown away after one month.

All-purpose solution should be thrown away after one month. As these are for more sensitive eyes, the preservatives are different. However, different makes of solution will offer advice on the bottle regarding how long you keep them for. Always check the bottle or listen to the advice of your opticians regarding when to discard the bottle.

Which contact lens solution can I use to store my extended wear contact lenses?

Extended wear contact lenses need to be removed once a month and cleaned before reinserting. If you don't intend to put them back in right away, you should make sure you store them in a contact lens case filled with fresh solution.

This will help to eliminate any dirt or protein build-up on the lens. It will also rewet and condition your lenses for comfortable wear.

For cleaning and storing extended wear contact lenses, you'll need to use a multi-purpose solution or a hydrogen peroxide solution. You can also use a combination of both a contact lens cleaner and saline solution.

Can you put contact lens solution in your eyes?

Some believe that putting contact lens solution in your eyes can eliminate dry eye. Instilling contact lens solution into the eyes can cause corneal toxicity and should be avoided at all costs.

Rather than putting contact solution in your eyes, it is recommended that you use eye drops. Eye drops have been designed to add additional moisture to your eyes and can treat dry eyes as well as other irritations and general discomfort.

Can I carry contact lens solution on a plane?

One of the difficulties of being a contact lens wearer is looking after your lenses when you go on holiday. Contact lens solution is typically sold in larger bottles that don't comply with airport regulations. These regulations state that liquids under 100ml can't be packed into hand luggage.

Fortunately, you can keep up with the same contact lens cleaning routine when you purchase one of our travel packs containing contact lens solution. All under 100ml, these travel packs can provide enough contact lens solution to last you two-three weeks (if used every day) for your holiday away. They are often available in multi-packs with contact lens cases provided.

Please read our full guide on how to look after your contact lenses on holiday.

Check out our in-depth guide on cleansing your contact lenses to avoid infections and dry eyes.

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