Hydrogen peroxide cleaners are a game-changer in the world of contact lens care, offering a thorough and effective way to keep your lenses clean and your eyes healthy. If you're new to using hydrogen peroxide solutions or curious about their benefits, read on to discover everything you need to know.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner?
Hydrogen peroxide 3%, like AO Sept and Soleko Platinum, is used to disinfect contact lenses. It helps break up and remove trapped dirt, protein, and fatty deposits (lipids). Unlike multipurpose solutions, which typically contain preservatives that can irritate sensitive eyes, hydrogen peroxide solutions provide a preservative-free cleaning process.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe to use?
Hydrogen peroxide on its own can cause stinging and burning so it needs to be neutralised for six hours by a platinum neutralising disc into harmless oxygen and sterile water, making it safe to put contact lenses back into your eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use as long as it is neutralised. Non-neutralised hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation and a burning sensation to the eyes.
The red cap on the hydrogen peroxide bottles means that you should never put non-neutralised hydrogen peroxide into your eyes or use non-neutralised hydrogen peroxide to rinse your contact lenses. Additionally, each bottle comes with its own case so every time you finish a bottle replace the case as the neutralising disc reduces in effectiveness with prolonged use.
How Does It Work?
Two-Step Cleaning Process:
- Hydrogen peroxide solutions typically come with a special case that includes a built-in catalytic disc or tablet. This disc or tablet neutralises the hydrogen peroxide over a few hours, converting it into a saline solution that is gentle on your eyes.
- Hydrogen peroxide is highly effective at killing bacteria and other microorganisms that can accumulate on contact lenses throughout the day. This thorough disinfection helps reduce the risk of eye infections and ensures your lenses remain hygienic.
Benefits of Using Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner:
Preservative-Free:- Ideal for individuals with sensitive eyes or allergies to preservatives found in multipurpose solutions.
- Removes protein deposits, debris, and other contaminants from lenses more effectively than multipurpose solutions, resulting in clearer vision and improved comfort.
Enhanced Comfort:
- Cleaner lenses mean greater comfort throughout the day, especially for wearers prone to dry eyes or discomfort.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Safely:
- Place the contact lenses into the lens basket. Match the curvature of the lens to the basket and ensure the lens is centred. For soft contact lenses, place the right lens into the labelled right and place the left lens into the labelled left.
- Carefully close the lens basket, do not force shut. Particularly important for large contact lenses such as scleral contact lenses.
- With 3% hydrogen peroxide, fill the lens case up to the designated line.
- Place the lens basket case into the lens case, twist to close the lid. You should start to see bubbles forming from the chemical reaction.
- Let the contact lenses bathe in the neutralising hydrogen peroxide solution for a minimum of six hours.
- After six hours, the hydrogen peroxide has been neutralised into oxygen and sterile water. The contact lenses have been disinfected and are now safe to put into your eyes. If you are concerned there is any residual non-neutralised hydrogen peroxide, rinse the contact lenses with sterile saline, such as Lens Plus or Eyeye.
- Discard the solution (which is now sterile water) and let the lens and basket case air dry
Tips for Using Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner:
Consistency is Key: Make hydrogen peroxide cleaning part of your daily routine to maintain optimal lens hygiene.
Keep Supplies Handy: Stock up on hydrogen peroxide solution and replacement cases to ensure you never run out.
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners offer a reliable and effective way to care for your contact lenses, providing deep cleaning and disinfection without preservatives. By incorporating hydrogen peroxide into your lens care routine, you can enjoy clearer vision, enhanced comfort, and peace of mind knowing your eyes are well-cared for.
Explore our range of contact lens care products at Eye Solutions to find the perfect hydrogen peroxide cleaner for your needs. Take the next step towards healthier, happier eyes today.