There are a number of reasons why wearing contact lenses can be an uncomfortable experience. Poor lens fit, an allergy to the materials that are used to make lenses, damage to the surface of the eye – these could all be responsible culprits. Oftentimes, an eye specialist will need to perform tests to figure out the root of the problem. However, there are still steps you can take to alleviate that discomfort without having to make any appointments. The most important — and most overlooked – step is examining the kind of contact lens solution you use.
Many of us contact lens wearers use multipurpose solutions to clean and disinfect our contact lenses. This involves shooting a stream of solution on our contact lenses, rubbing them between our fingers for ten seconds or more, and then putting them in a case with solution overnight to disinfect. For many people, this simple process is perfect because it doesn’t make much time or many steps. Multipurpose solutions are designed to clean, disinfect, sanitize, and lubricate – but that’s where problems can crop up.
As the complexity of these solutions increases, so does the number of different chemicals added to the solutions. Just read the label of any bottle of solution to see what I’m talking about. Any one of these chemicals can interact negatively with the eye or the contact lens. Because the solution is non-toxic to the eye, many people will forget to leave their lenses in the solution for the required amount of time to disinfect and clean, meaning that people can insert lenses that aren’t properly cleaned back into their eyes without noticing. Add in the fact that many users forget to rub their contacts before they put them in their case — leading to protein deposits building up on the surface of the lens — and it’s a recipe for disaster. In fact, just a few years ago there was a global recall of a popular multipurpose solution brand when it was discovered that the product was linked to an outbreak of fungal eye infections.
A great alternative to multipurpose solutions is a hydrogen peroxide-based (HPB) lens care system. HPBs work by inserting your lenses into a cylindrical case and submerging that into a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. A platinum disk at the bottom of the case releases material that neutralizes the hydrogen peroxide. When the hydrogen peroxide and platinum disk come into contact, millions of tiny bubbles are released, which clean and disinfect the lenses as they turn the hydrogen peroxide into harmless saline solution.
The benefits of HPBs are numerous. For the most part, they’re preservative-free and have very few chemicals added to them, which lowers the risk of allergic reactions or chemical irritation to the eye or lenses. The bubbling action disintegrates any protein deposits that might be built up on the lens, getting rid of the need to rub the lenses between your fingers. And the fact that there’s a set period of time that must pass for the hydrogen peroxide to be neutralized before you can insert the lenses back into your eyes means that your lenses will always be fully cleansed before you wear them again.
If you’re interested in making a switch, or even just testing HPBs out, consider trying CLEAR CARE® PLUS with HyrdaGlyde® by Alcon. CLEAR CARE® PLUS features all the advantages of HPB lens care systems discussed above, with the added benefit of HydraGlyde® Moisture Matrix, Alcon’s proprietary wetting technology that helps increase the moisture of soft contact lenses when they’re being worn. One of the most reputable leading companies in the eye care industry, Alcon is currently offering a coupon that lets you save $2 when your try CLEAR CARE® PLUS.
Finally, your contact lenses can be everything you’ve hoped they’d be! Say goodbye to irritation and discomfort, and hello to comfortable, crystal-clear vision with CLEAR CARE® PLUS by Alcon.
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