How to Choose the Right Contact Lens Care Solution, Accessories, and Maintain Hygiene Principles

Do you know how versatile a contact lens care solution can be, and what accessories and proper hygiene practices help keep your eyes healthy? In this article, we’ll explore the main types of solutions, the most useful accessories, and provide practical tips on how to take care of your contact lenses and eye comfort in everyday life. Pay attention to every detail—eye drops and storage cases can be the difference between comfortable vision and eye irritation!

Why is the choice so important?

Your contact lens care habits directly affect your eye health. Using the wrong or poor-quality products can cause discomfort or even lead to infections. That’s why it’s essential to:

  • Understand how multipurpose solutions and hydrogen peroxide systems work.
  • Choose the right contact lens accessories, such as cases and tweezers.
  • Follow strict hand hygiene and lens-cleaning routines.

Types of Solutions and Their Properties

1. Multipurpose Solution

The most popular choice for daily contact lens care:

  • Properties: Cleans, rinses, hydrates, and disinfects in one step.
  • Suitable for: Soft lenses, such as daily or monthly types.
  • Advantages: Convenient to use, no extra steps required.
  • Limitations: Some users may be sensitive to preservatives.

Pro tip: If your eyes are sensitive, choose a preservative-free or extended-wear multipurpose solution.

2. Peroxide Cleaning System

The gold standard of disinfection:

  • How it works: 3% hydrogen peroxide turns into water and oxygen, killing all microbes.
  • Safety: Requires a neutralizing disk to ensure no peroxide remains on the lens.
  • Suitable for: Very sensitive eyes, frequent infections, or allergies.

Real-life story: One of my clients, who works in tough conditions, hasn’t experienced any lens-related irritation since switching to a peroxide system.

3. Bradikinin-Based Solutions

Less common but highly effective:

  • Composition: Contains natural disinfecting agents (such as bradykinin).
  • Use: Separate steps for cleaning, rinsing, and storing.

Must-Have Contact Lens Accessories

Contact Lens Cases

  • Replace every 3 months or as per manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Made from plastic with clear “L” (left) and “R” (right) markings.

Tweezers and Lens Inserters

  • Improve hygiene by reducing direct finger contact.
  • Tip: Choose ones with soft silicone tips for comfort and safety.

Mirrors and Mini Flashlights

  • Small mirror sets are perfect for travel.
  • A compact LED flashlight helps when inserting lenses in low-light conditions.

Key Hygiene Practices

  1. Hand Washing
    Always wash your hands with soap and water before inserting or removing lenses, and dry them with a clean towel.
  2. Case Cleaning
    After each use, clean the case, discard the old solution, and let it air-dry.
  3. Solution Expiry
    Do not use solution past its expiration date, or if it’s been open for more than 30–90 days.
  4. Never Use Tap Water
    Tap water is not sterile and can contain Acanthamoeba parasites.