8 Contact Lens Solutions to Clean and Preserve Your Lenses
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- Best multipurpose: Opti-Free PureMoist Disinfecting Solution
- Best for dry or sensitive eyes: Bausch + Lomb Sensitive Eyes Saline Solution
- Best with hydrogen peroxide: Clear Care Plus with HydraGlide
- Best preservative-free: PuriLens Mini Preservative Free
- Best for clearing lenses while you’re wearing them: Blink-N-Clean Dry Contacts Lens Drops
- Best for cleaning your contacts overnight: Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution
- Best for rewetting daily contacts: Opti-Free PureMoist Rewetting Drops
- Best care system for RGP: Bausch + Lomb Boston Advance Complete System
There are a few leading contact lens brands on the market, but there’s no one-size-fits-all contact lens solution for every person.
When choosing the right solution, consider advice from an eye care professional, what kind of contacts you use, and your personal experience with certain ingredients. We compiled this list to help you find the best contact solution for your needs.
The ingredients in your contact lens solution determine what you can do. It is always good to take a closer look at the label before buying, some of these ingredients can cause allergies or other side effects.
Some of the common ingredients in contact lens solutions are listed.
- Polyquaternium is a preservative that breaks up pathogens.
- boric acid, which has antibiotic properties and is added to clean and soothe irritated eyes
- propylene glycol, which forms a layer over the mucous membrane to relieve eye inflammation
- hydrogen peroxide is a Disinfectant.
- Polyaminopropyl biguanide is aPreservative that cleans and disinfects the surface of contact lens
- saline, a mixture of sodium chloride and water that stabilizes the other ingredients and keeps contacts hygienic
- Clinical trials. We read clinical trials that compared the efficacy and ingredients of different types of contact lens solution.
- Pricing. Contact lens solution doesn’t vary in price by a lot, but we still worked to make sure that this list included some lower- and higher-priced options.
- Convenience. The contact lens solution that you choose won’t do much good if you can’t get it easily or quickly. We tried to highlight options that you can get from your local pharmacy or grocery store. We also featured solutions for both rigid gas permeable (RGP) and soft lenses.
Pricing guide
A 12-ounce bottle of contact lens solution costs between $6 and $20 The products mentioned in this article are priced in different ways.
- $ = under $11
- $$ = $11-$15
- $$$ = over $15
Best multipurpose
Opti-Free PureMoist Multipurpose Disinfecting Solution
- Price: $$
- Disinfects: yes
- Good for: soft contact lenses
This brand is affordable, loved by thousands of reviewers, and is available almost anywhere contact lens solution is sold. A free case is often included with the purchase.
This solution is meant for storing and cleaning contact lens.
You need to soak your contacts for 6 hours to make sure they are completely lubricated. Some contact lens wearers experience incompatibility with certain formulas, which is why it is important to keep in mind that a multi-lens solution does work well for many people.
Pros
- It is easy to find at local retailers.
- It is safe to soak your contacts overnight.
Cons
- Some lens-wearers may be allergic to polyquaternium.
- “Can’t clean your lens until 6 hours have elapsed.”
Best for dry or sensitive eyes
Bausch + Lomb Sensitive Eyes Saline Solution
- Price: $
- Disinfects: no
- Good for: soft and RGP contact lenses
This contact lens solution is made up of a mixture of salts and acids. It is formulated for lens wearers who need to rinse their lens with a gentle fluid.
“This solution isn’t meant to be used to suck out your eyes. If you have eyes that sting or burn when you put your eyes in, a quick rinse with Sensitive Eyes Saline Solution may be able to rid your eyes of irritants.”
“This product doesn’t come with a contact lens case, which may be because it isn’t meant for overnight suck.”
Pros
- It can be used on soft contacts.
- It is appropriate for people with dry eye symptoms or allergies.
Cons
- “Can’t be used to clean your contacts.”
Best with hydrogen peroxide
Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde
- Price: $
- Disinfects: yes
- Good for: soft and RGP contact lenses
If you have had allergies to other Disinfectant ingredients in contact lens solutions, this solution might be a good option. If you have had a bad experience with multi-purpose solutions, this option by Clear Care Plus may be able to give you the disinfecting power you need.
A
It’s important to exercise caution when using this kind of solution and to follow the instructions included carefully. Hydrogen peroxide solutions come with a neutralizing disk, which converts the hydrogen peroxide to saline so that it doesn’t burn or injure your eyes.
Never put hydrogen peroxide directly into your eye.
Pros
- Powerful sterilizing for people who have allergies.
- Other products can be more effective at killing pathogens.
Cons
- “It’s not safe to use to hydrarate your eyes.”
- It is slightly more expensive than other products.
Best preservative-free
PuriLens Mini Preservative-Free
- Price: $
- Disinfects: no
- Good for: soft and RGP contact lenses
This solution is basically a stable solution. This may be a good option for people who are wary of chemical ingredients in contact lens solutions.
It is a bit more expensive than most solutions.
The contact solution can be used with both soft and RGP contact lens. It comes in multipacks of bottles. The link features small bottles that are small enough to fit in your carry-on.
Pros
- It is a travel-friendly size.
- “If you feel uncomfortable, dry or inflammation, it’s time to put it on your eye.”
Cons
- “Doesn’t have the ability to clean your contact lens.”
- Plastic bottles are not eco-friendly.
Best for clearing lenses while you’re wearing them
Blink-N-Clean Dry Contacts Lens Drops
- Price: $
- Disinfects: no
- Good for: soft and RGP contact lenses
The Blink brand is an affordable alternative to some more expensive competitors and it’s made by Acuvue/Johnson & Johnson. The Blink-N-Clean lens drops are made to gently clean debris from your lenses and eyes when you already have your lenses inserted.
Tyloxopol is an active ingredient that can help keep your eyes clear of irritants.
Some reviewers think these are the best solution for when the lens starts to feel blurry in the middle of the day.
Pros
- Reviewers say this product can clean contact lens even when they are not looking at it.
- “For soft lens contacts, it’s safe.”
Cons
- It might not be the most hydrating.
- Some eyes may be irritated by Tyloxopol.
Best for cleaning your contacts overnight
Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution
- Price: $$
- Disinfects: yes
- Good for: soft contact lenses
If you have dry eye, this contact solution can help you with hydration. This formula is able to soothe dry eyes during the day. It conditions and removes the proteins.
Biotrue works with hyraluronan. The formula is named “biotrue” because it is found in your natural tears.
If you wear contacts for a long time and look at the computer screen a lot, this solution might make your eyes more comfortable.
Pros
- A formula designed to deliver hydration.
- Natural tears have ingredients found in them.
Cons
- Some users may be more sensitive to this formula.
Best for rewetting daily contacts
Opti-Free PureMoist Rewetting Drops
- Price: $
- Disinfects: no
- Good for: soft contact lenses
“You don’t need to worry about storing your contacts in a solution that will cause harm since you will dispose of them every day. It doesn’t mean your eyes don’t need a hydrating boost every once in a while. This product is used to relieve irritation and dry skin.”
“Reviewers say the rewetting drops are good for eyes because they are gel-like and they don’t feel like you’re dropping liquid into your eyes.”
The drops have a salt in them to help clear off pathogens and irritants.
You should know that these rewetting drops are not for soaking your contact lens overnight. They are approved for use with contact lens.
Pros
- gel-like consistency helps eyes feel hydrated and reduces red-eye symptoms
- The price point is accessible.
Cons
- Not meant for storing or sterilizing your lens overnight.
- Eyes could feel dry from the salt.
Best care system for RGP contacts
Bausch + Lomb Boston Advance Complete System
- Price: $$$
- Disinfects: yes
- Good for: RGP contact lenses
The contact lens solution system may be perfect for people who wear R GP. It killsbacteria, removes the enzymes from your lens, and wets your contacts for the next wear.
This system comes with a special case for storing your contacts, a cleaning solution, and a conditioning solution meant to extend the life of your contacts. Reviewers say it works the way it should and that it saves them from dry eye symptoms.
This product is going to cost you more, but it has several uses. It may be worth paying to protect your investment as long as possible if you wear R GP lens.
Pros
- It is possible that your R GP contact lens life can be extended.
- Rewetting drops are used to condition your lens.
Cons
- There are cheaper ways to clean R GP.
- “It won’t clean soft lenses because it’s only approved for R GP.”
| Disinfects? | Preservative-free? | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opti-Free PureMoist Disinfecting Solution | yes | no | $ |
| Bausch + Lomb Sensitive Eyes Saline Solution | no | yes | $ |
| Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde | yes | no | $$ |
| PuriLens Mini Preservative Free | no | yes | $$ |
| Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution | yes | no | $ |
| Blink-N-Clean Dry Contacts Lens Drops | no | no | $ |
| Opti-Free PureMoist Rewetting Drops | no | no | $ |
| Bausch + Lomb Boston Advance Complete System | yes | no | $$$ |
“If you use disposable, hard, or hybrid contact lens, you’re most likely using the solution on your bathroom counter.”
Contact lens solution is what keeps your contacts longer. The solution cleans or disinfects the surface of your lens by removing the pathogens and proteins that accumulate on it.
If you wear disposable contacts, you will likely use contact lens solution to rehydrate your lens when they are dry or to remove any dust.
When you are shopping for contact lens solution, talk to an eye care professional. They can tell you which solution will work best with your contact lens. Mentioning the price or certain ingredients is important if you are concerned about them.
You will want to consider how often you buy the solution and where you buy it. You can save money by buying in bulk or by opting for a subscription that delivers the solution to your door on a monthly or bimonthly basis.
You should read the ingredients label before you buy any solution. If you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients, consider a different solution.
It is still important to use your contacts properly even if your contact solution is great. Sleeping in your contacts can be caused by overwear or improper care.
What solution is best for daily contacts?
Daily soft gel contacts are not required to be cleaned.
If you want to rinse them off, you can use any contact solution labeled for Multipurpose use. You can use the solution.
How long can contacts stay in the solution?
Your contacts will usually arrive in a solution that is saline. They can stay in that solution until they die. Contact lens can stay in other types of fluid indefinitely.
Contacts should not be left in hydrogen peroxide solution for more than a day or two. The ability to suck out particles has been compromised and the lens structure may have begun to break.
Can dried-out contacts be saved?
Fresh saline solution can be used to rehydrate contacts. You will need a clean contact lens case.
“If a contact lens is completely dry, you shouldn’t try to clean it or rehydrate it. If you put a contact in your eye that is torn, it can damage it.”
Where should I store my contacts and contact solution?
You should keep your contacts in a clean contact lens case that has fresh fluid, saline solution, or sterilant fluid. They should never be stored in the tap water. Keep your cleaning supplies in a dry place.
You should wash your hands with soap and water before touching your contacts case.
Can contact solution be used as eye drops?
Some contact solutions can be used as eye drops.
Hydrogen peroxide solution should not be put in your eyes. If you have dry eyes, contact fluid labeled MULTIpurpose is usually safe to use.
There is not a lot of contact lens solutions on the market. Most of them are the same basic categories and priced the same.
When you are looking for a contact lens solution, speak with an eye care professional about what product will work best with your contacts.
If you have an allergy to any ingredients, or are concerned about the safety of the solution you are using, you can always call an eye care professional.
Kathryn Watson is a freelance writer covering everything from sleep hygiene to moral philosophy. Her recent bylines include Healthline, Christianity Today, LitHub, and Curbed. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children, and her website is kathrynswatson.com.
