Encyclopedia - Contact Lens Solutions

Your eye care professional will recommend the appropriate solutions for you to use with your contact lenses. The various types of solutions include the following:

Cleaning solution
A cleaning solution removes dirt, mucus and debris that accumulates during lens wear. Lenses should be rubbed gently for a few seconds to loosen the debris and then rinsed with a saline solution.

Rinsing solution
After cleaning, lenses should be rinsed with a commercial saline solution.

Disinfecting solution
The disinfecting solution inhibits and/or kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms on the lenses that could cause eye infections. After cleaning and rinsing lenses, they should be stored overnight in a storage case filled with fresh disinfecting solution.

Multipurpose solution
A combination solution designed to clean, rinse and disinfect contact lenses.

Rewetting solution
Drops that lubricate the lenses while they are being worn. They can be used all day to keep the eye moist and to enhance the comfort of wearing contact lenses.

All solutions used for cleaning, rinsing, and disinfecting contact lenses should be discarded after the expiration date on the bottle. Never touch the bottle tips and openings with your fingers or allow any other surface to touch the bottle tips and openings. Always follow your eye care professional's recommendations for cleaning and caring for your lenses.