Matthew wrote:
Hello,

Is it OK to use eye wash solutions containing boric acid with contact lenses?

ANSWER

NO these should only be used when the contact lenses are off the eye.

Dr. Joan Hansen, Optometrist for CAO

Dennis wrote:

I am 53 and wear Cooper Vision EP contact lens for presbyopia. Right eye 2.5 and left 1.0. Whenever I put in new contacts, after a few days my vision is not as clear. Am I scratching or scuffing them when I handle them, or is that a sign I need new ones again. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

ANSWER

Dear Dennis,

It is unlikely that you are scratching or scuffing your lenses so quickly. It is more likely that your lens surfaces are getting deposited and that this is causing your decrease in vision. Lenses need to have their surfaces cleaned carefully after every wear and this usually involves gently rubbing both the front and back surface of the lenses to remove accumulated debris. Although many multi-purpose contact lens solutions are marketed as “no-rub”, in my experience rubbing the surfaces thoroughly for 30 seconds or so does get them cleaner. In my practice we advise all patients who use a multipurpose solution to clean their lenses by rubbing them carefully. Even so, there are some patients whose tear film composition seems to be especially prone to creating deposits on contact lenses. Sometimes using a drop such as “Blink and Clean” during the day can be helpful, or in some cases, taking the lenses out mid-day and cleaning them improves vision. You might also try using a separate soft contact lens cleaning solution on your lenses after you remove them. With the advent of multipurpose solutions, these stand alone cleaning solutions are sometimes harder to locate, but using them may be helpful.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Henry Smit

Mike wrote:

Hi, I recently purchased a Bausch and Lomb Simplus solution from a local drug store. After I came I realized that this solution was used for gas permeable lenses. I am currently using soft lenses. I was wondering if I can use the Simplus solution for my soft lenses. Is there a difference between gas permeable lens solution and soft lens solutions? Can I use Simplus for my soft lens?

Thanks!

ANSWER

Dear Mike,

The main difference between soft and rigid solution is that for the latter the solution has to recondition the surface of the contact lens, during the overnight soaking time, in order to make the lens compatible with the tear film. Consequently, this solution is “thicker”, more viscous. This is not appropriate to use this type of solution with soft lenses since these lenses will become sticky. More, the active agent acting against bacteria and viruses has a higher concentration in Simplus solution compared to soft lenses ones. This molecule can be absorbed within the soft lens matrix and released on the ocular surface on the first hours of wear. That can create chemical alteration of the surface cells of the cornea. This is not possible when the solution (Boston Simplus) is used with rigid lenses since these ones can not absorb any fluid.

My strong recommendation would be to discard the Boston Simplus solution and to replace it by an appropriate solution for soft lenses, as recommended by your eyecare professional.

Even In soft lens solution’s world all the products are not created equal and some chemical adverse reactions can occur from the inappropriate use of a given solution with a given contact lens material. This is why your eye doctor, considering the lens you are wearing, could recommend a compatible care regimen (solutions).

Finally, In soft and rigid lenses it is more than appropriate to follow 3 steps to take care properly of the lenses: To rub the surface (15 sec each side) to rinse the surfaces to remove the deposits and to soak them in a fresh solution that is replaced each day.

Many thanks for this interesting question.

Good luck,
Langis Michaud