Trying to choose a contact lens cleaning solution can be a little intimidating. If you take a look at the dozens of different types and hundreds of brand names available, it`s pretty confusing at first. Knowing just what each type of fluid is for will help you make your choices. Your optometrist can also provide useful information on selecting the right cleaning solution for your particular contact lenses.

The first thing you need to know about selecting a cleaning liquid is to choose one that is formulated for the type of contact lens that you use. If you have soft lenses, be sure to buy only cleansers that are meant for soft contacts and vice versa for hard ones. By regularly cleaning your lenses, you`ll end up being able to use them longer and they will work better, without irritating your eyes.

Multi-Purpose Cleaners

These are the easiest types of cleaners to use. You only need one solution to do all the tasks, soften the lens, remove deposits, cleanse and disinfect. The only thing you have to do once the lenses have soaked is rinse them in saline solution before putting them into your eyes. It`s very simple, but not always as effective as using multi-step procedures with a different solution for each process.

Multi-purpose cleaners can be used for most of the cleaning that you do, but if you want the occasional deep clean, then you might want to do a multi-step cleansing.

Saline solution is pretty much the same as your tears, so this liquid is ideal for soaking contact lenses in when they aren`t in your eyes. The liquid keeps them supple and hydrated and won`t irritate your eyes later on. Saline is also useful for rinsing harsher chemicals off the lenses so you won`t end up with stinging eyes later on. Contact lenses do tend to dry out when left out of saline, so be sure to always have some on hand.

Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaners

You are probably familiar with hydrogen peroxide from your medicine cabinet. It is also used in some types of contact lens cleaners to help eliminate grime and mineral deposits on the lenses. Hydrogen peroxide cleansers must be carefully stored and, while they do work very well for cleaning, the chemical can also cause intense discomfort in the eye, so be sure to rinse very well before using your contacts after cleaning them with a hydrogen based product.

Enzymatic Cleansers

With any extended use contact lenses, protein from your eyes will begin to build up on them. This can cause problems if left, particularly diminished vision and later, possible scratches and infections in the eye, so it`s important to get rid of these deposits. Enzymes in enzymatic cleaners work to destroy any protein deposits and leave the lenses nice and clean. This type of cleaner is usually in tablet form and is not needed on a daily basis. Once a week or so, drop a tablet into the liquid that the contacts are soaking in and leave overnight to get rid of everything. In the morning, the lenses will be ready to be used again after rinsing.

Since contact lenses are in contact with your eyes most of the time you are awake, it`s vital that they be maintained in a clean, sterile manner. Improperly cleaned lenses are the cause of many eye infections and these can range from a minor inconvenience to actually causing blindness. As you can see, it`s certainly worth maintaining a careful cleaning schedule and using the proper cleaners for the job.