As a contact lens wearer, you should know that contact lens solution is a must-have item in your bag. But, with a huge selection of brands and functions in the market, which is the best contact lens solution for dry eyes to go for?
Not only that. There are also different kinds of contact lens solutions that you need to know.
There are distinct differences between multiple contact lens solutions that you need to understand before buying them.
If you are new to contact lens wearing or looking to change to a new contact lens solution and don’t know which one to choose, then fret not. Let us help you with that.
Table of contents
- Why Do We Need Solution For Contacts?
- How To Choose Your Contact Lens Solutions?
- 10 Best Contact Lens Solution To Keep Your Eye On
- 1. BioTrue Contact Lens Solution Multipurpose
- 2. Renu Contact Lens Solution by Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Advanced Formula
- 3. Opti-Free Replenish Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
- 4. Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution
- 5. ACUVUE RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
- 6. Abbott Complete Multi-Purpose Solution
- 7. Boston Advanced Formula Contact Lens Solution – Best For Gas Permeable Contact Lens
- 8. Opti-Free Puremoist Multi-Purpose
- 9. CooperVision Refine One Step
- 10. Clear Conscience Contact Lens Solution
- Final Thought
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Why Do We Need Solution For Contacts?
These solutions are designed to keep your contact lenses clean, safe, and comfortable to wear, fulfilling several crucial functions:
- Cleaning: Contact lenses can collect deposits, including proteins, lipids, and other substances naturally found in your tears. These deposits can make your lenses uncomfortable to wear and can even affect your vision. Contact lens solutions help clean these deposits off your lenses.
- Disinfecting: Your contact lenses can also gather harmful bacteria and microorganisms throughout the day. Without proper disinfection, these can lead to serious eye infections. Contact lens solutions contain antimicrobial agents that kill these harmful microorganisms.
- Rinsing: After cleaning and disinfecting, it’s important to rinse your lenses to remove the loosened debris and any residual solution. Some solutions can cause eye irritation if not thoroughly rinsed off.
- Lubricating: Contact lens solutions help to lubricate your lenses, reducing friction between the lens and the eye. This makes your lenses more comfortable to wear.
- Preserving: When not in use, lenses need to be stored in a solution that helps them retain their shape and softness, while continuing to protect them from microorganisms.
How To Choose Your Contact Lens Solutions?
What should you know before purchasing your contact lens solution?
Contact Lens Type
It is crucial to know what kind of contact lens you are using before purchasing the contact solutions. There are no one contact lens solutions that fit all.
There are commonly three types of contact lenses – soft lenses, gas permeable and hybrid lenses. Once you know what kind of contact lens you are wearing, take note of which contacts solutions are suitable for them.
Type Of Solution
There are several types of solutions you can use with your contact lenses.
Multipurpose solutions are an all-in-one product. You can use it to clean, rinse, disinfect and store contact lenses. You can use it to clean all types of soft contact lenses.
Hydrogen peroxide solutions are a replacement for people who have sensitive eyes and can’t tolerate multipurpose solutions. It is suitable to be used for all types of soft contact lenses.
Gas permeable contact lens solutions are specifically designed for gas permeable contact lenses. You should never use this solution for soft contact lenses.
Ingredients
Next, you need to know what ingredients are in your contact lens solutions and how your eyes react to them. Some contacts solutions may contain disinfectants, preservatives, surfactants and wetting solutions.
To prevent any allergies or other side effects, check out the ingredients’ names on the label. You should avoid any ingredients that you know you are allergic to.
By all means, we have come up with a list of 10 top contact lens solutions for dry eyes to make it easier for you to get the right one.
10 Best Contact Lens Solution To Keep Your Eye On
So, let’s take a look at the 10 contact lens solutions that we have listed below.
1. BioTrue Contact Lens Solution Multipurpose
The BioTrue contact lens solution multi-purpose solution consists of hyaluronan (HA). HA is particularly a moisturizing ingredient found naturally in the eyes. Hence, it hydrates your contact lenses with the same lubricant found in your eyes.
You can certainly use it for cleaning, conditioning, disinfecting, rinsing and storing soft contact lenses in a contact lens case. However, it is only suitable for soft contact lenses including silicone hydrogel lenses.
PROS
- Contains hyaluronan
- Matches the pH of healthy tears
- Moisturizes for up to 20 hours
- Comes with one free contact lens case
CONS
- Only applicable for soft contact lenses
- Expensive
User Review: “I’ve been wearing contacts for over a decade and a couple of years ago I became allergic to a certain brand of contact solution. My doctor recommended BioTrue and I haven’t had any problems since.”
2. Renu Contact Lens Solution by Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Advanced Formula
Due to its advanced formula, the Renu contact lens solution can fight germs, clean your lenses and hydrate your lenses for all-day comfort wearing.
Surprisingly, it can kill 9.99% of germs in only 4 hours of soaking. However, we do advise you to soak your contact lens for at least 6 hours or overnight, just in case.
Not only that, but the solution also prevents protein buildups when used daily.
PROS
- Triple disinfectant system
- Good value for money
- Provides up to 20 hours of moisture to your contacts
- Kills 99.9% of germs when used daily
CONS
- Only applicable for soft contact lenses
User Review: “I have very bad dry eye and partway through the day (where) my contacts would be glued to my eyes with my old solution. Since changing to this I no longer experience such severe dry eye midway throughout the day. Very happy I found this contact lens solution for dry eyes. Very moisturizing!”
3. Opti-Free Replenish Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
For long-lasting moisture and all-day comfort wearing, you might want to check out Alcon Opti-Free Replenish multipurpose solution. It has specifically a patented TearGlyde reconditioning system that creates a continuous shield of comfort between the lens and eye.
Therefore, you can use it to deep clean your soft contact lenses by loosening and removing accumulations of protein and other deposits on the lens surface.
As a result, you will have cleaner and clearer contact lenses without irritation.
PROS
- Removes debris and particles to keep your contact lenses cleaner and clearer
- TearGlyde reconditioning system for enhanced comfort
- Kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms
- Good value for money
CONS
- Only applicable for soft contact lenses
User Review: “I became a new contact wearer recently and have dry eye issues. I tried numerous other brands but this one is definitely the best for me. You will be amazed with this contact lens solution for dry eyes”
4. Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution
Clean Care Multipurpose solution can loosen dirt, deep cleans and removes protein from your contact lenses due to the powerful Triple Action Cleaning feature.
Due to the Triple Action Cleaning feature, you can safely say that it is the best eye contact solution available in the market.
It uses the bubbling power of hydrogen peroxide to make your lenses fresh and feel like new. In this case, the bubbling action helps to remove protein deposits and other foreign materials from the contact lens surface.
PROS
- Suitable for all soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses
- No preservatives
- The number 1 doctor recommended for hydrogen peroxide solution
- Good for sensitive eyes
- Comes with one free barrel case containing a platinum disc.
CONS
- Can only use the barrel case provided in the pack to soak and clean your contact lens
- Need to soak for 6 hours or overnight
- Expensive
User Review: “So first things first, this stuff is absolutely fantastic at doing exactly what it advertises. If you leave it in overnight (they say 6 and a half hours, but it really needs more like 8), your lenses feel as fresh at the end of the month as they do at the start.”
5. ACUVUE RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
Acuvue RevitaLens multi-purpose solution is specifically designed for soft contact lenses. Additionally, it uses dual-disinfection technology to disinfect, clean, rinse, condition, remove protein and store your contact lens.
It removes protein from your contact lens during soaking in the lens case. You will also be able to eliminate the need for a separate enzymatic cleaner when you use the solution daily.
PROS
- Comes with one free contact lens case
- Kills 99.9% of bacteria and harmful germs
- Give you comfort all day long
- Good value for money
CONS
- Only applicable for soft contact lenses
User Review: “Best solution I have used. I don’t suffer from dryness a-lot like I have with other solutions and have all-day comfort.”
6. Abbott Complete Multi-Purpose Solution
Abbott Complete multipurpose solution claims to let you significantly clean, store, rinses, disinfects and remove protein form from your contact lenses easily based on its Easy Rub formula.
The formula is an effective cleaner that is also gentle to the eyes. It removes and kills a broad range of bacteria and microorganisms on your contact lens. Hence, protect your eyes from an eye infection.
PROS
- Comes with one free contact lens case
- Easy rub formula
- Provide sufficient hydration to the contacts lens
CONS
- Only applicable for soft contact lenses
- Can not be found in-store
User Review: “I love this brand of contact solution, easy to use and keeps my contacts comfortable all day even in a dry climate. I’ve used this for years and hate to be without it.”
7. Boston Advanced Formula Contact Lens Solution – Best For Gas Permeable Contact Lens
One thing that separates and makes the Boston Advance Formula solution unlike the rest of the solution is the patented cushioning system.
The cushioning system helps to soothe your eyes and provides exceptional lens wearing comfort. It coats and cushions lenses so that you will feel more comfortable during insertion and wearing.
PROS
- Provide extra comfort with a patented cushioning system
- Comes with one free contact lens case
CONS
- Applicable for GP (gas permeable) lenses only
- Bottlecap might leak
- Expensive
User Review: “I use this system often. (The) Best system for my gas perm contacts.”
8. Opti-Free Puremoist Multi-Purpose
Given that Opti-Free Puremoist has a patented HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, the contact solution really helps in keeping moisture on your lenses. Subsequently, keeps your contact lens hydrated throughout the day.
In fact, the best feature of HydraGlyde is to maintain a cushion of moisture that allows your eyelid to glide over the surface of your contact lens without irritation.
PROS
- Comes with one free contact lens case
- Gets rid of eye infection
- Patented HydraGlyde
- The number 1 doctor recommended multi-purpose solution
- Good value for money
CONS
- Need to soak for 6 hours or overnight
- Only applicable for soft lenses
User Review: “Used this solution for a long time and very happy with its performance. Recommended by my optician.”
9. CooperVision Refine One Step
You can use the CooperVision Refine One Step to clean, disinfect, remove protein and store your contact lens. It is indeed a great option for sensitive eyes because it is a preservative-free solution.
It is important to point out that it has a lubricating additive that helps improve lens comfort throughout your wearing sessions. This feature alone helps CooperVision Refine One Step significantly recognized as one of the best eye contact solutions for dry eyes in the market.
PROS
- Great for sensitive eyes
- Preservative-free solution
- Eliminates the need to rub and rinse lenses
- Comes with one free barrel case containing a platinum disc.
CONS
- Expensive
- Can only use the barrel case provided in the pack to soak and clean your contact lens
- Need to soak for 6 hours or overnight
Review: “This is, in my opinion, the best product to clean and disinfect the lens. I try and only use this because when I use the other brands I can immediately see the difference. It is costly but worth it for the clean lens. I gave it 4 stars because of the cost.”
10. Clear Conscience Contact Lens Solution
And last but not least, we have Clear Conscience Contact Lens Solution in the list of our best contact lens solutions.
If you are an animal lover, you’re going to absolutely love this product. It claims to be the first-ever contact lens solution that is cruelty-free and not tested on animals!
The Clear Conscience multi-purpose solution helps to clean and disinfect your contact lenses. It can be used for any kind of contact lenses such as hydrophilic, silicone hydrogels and rigid gas permeable lenses.
The comforting formula is in fact mild and gentle to your eyes. Furthermore, it prevents your eyes from drying out. Thus, you will no longer dwell in itchy dirty feeling in your eyes.
PROS
- No chlorhexidine or thimerosal
- Cruelty-free
- Specially designed for sensitive eyes
- Compatible with soft hydrophilic, silicone hydrogels and rigid gas permeable lenses
CONS
- Expensive
User Review: “At last, a BUAV-approved, non-cruelty contact lens solution. I have not had any problems since using this and it appears to work ok with my lenses. It is pricier than the animal tested solutions – no surprises there – but personally worth the money for my conscience alone.”
Final Thought
To summarize, each of the contact lens solutions available in the market has its own pros and cons. In other words, it is hard to find one-size-fits-all solutions.
Therefore, choose the best contact lens solution according to your suitability and your need.
However, always remember to refer to your professional eye care to see which solutions work the best with your contact lens and your eye condition.
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