Contact lenses are meant to provide crystal clear vision. Even so, soon after a few wears they start to become hazy. Contact Lenses are coated with protein that transfers from your tear film if you did not rinse it after each wear. There are several solutions available in the pharmacy on how to remove protein deposits and lipid buildup from contacts. It could be daunting at first to select a contact lens care regimen, yet talking with your doctor significantly helps.
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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Why and How protein build-up?
Most contact lens users do not realize that protein build-up occurs over time. Here are some possible ways on how it can develop.
- Improper Lens Handling – Lens calculi, also known as jelly bumps or mulberry spots, are formed when contact lenses are not handled in a hygienic way. It consists of lipid, protein, and calcium that raise circular bumps to penetrate the front surface of the contact lens.
- Environmental or Unwanted Debris – Potential debris from make-up or hair products can easily fall into the eyes. This will then coat the contact lens with a substance, causing blurry vision as well.
- Iron Deposits – This is mainly caused by rinsing or storing contact lenses in tap water. They are round and has a brown-to-orange color tone. We cannot emphasize this enough, though – do not clean your contact lenses with tap water, no matter how urgent it is.
- Fungal Deposits – This would usually occur when multiple pairs of contact lenses (for example colored lenses) are stored together. Fungal deposits also form due to exceeding the recommended amount of time they are kept in the contact lens solution.
- Windy and Cool Environment – Being in a windy or cool environment will also cause dryness to the eyes. Even if your eyes automatically produce tears in order to lubricate them, situations like these will leave residue on the lens. It will also contribute to protein build-up on the lens itself.
How to remove protein buildup from contacts
- Enzymatic cleaner is for removing protein from your contacts and you only do it on a weekly basis. Use the tablets with saline solution or disinfecting solution (multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide), as directed. Always clean and rinse your contacts with other products before using an enzymatic cleaner
- Daily disposable lenses can be the solution for contact lens users who have continued problems with protein buildup. The longer lenses have used, the risk of protein buildup and infection to the cornea that damage eye tissue is higher.
- Eye drops (in this case it must be lubricating eye drops) can clean your contacts and prevent protein build-up by lubricating the eyes. The disadvantage is constant strain and wind can still cause blockages.
Using eye drops daily are vital to maintaining your contacts. Not only this, you also need to clean your contact lenses with saline to keep your eyes healthy and maintaining good vision,
What is the Best Solution to Remove Protein Buildup From Contacts?
Multi-Purpose Solution
Multi-purpose solution is a one bottle ‘no-rub’ cleaning regimen that replaces cleaning and rinsing solutions. As mentioned by name it helps to remove debris by breaking down protein & lipid. Multi-purpose solution does not only clean & rinse your contact lenses, similarly, it also fights against bacterial accumulation.
Multi-purpose solution may contain preservatives, which is sometimes not very friendly to some patients. They are advised to use hydrogen peroxide solution as it is preservative-free.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
We use hydrogen peroxide solution to clean, rinse & disinfect contact lenses, yet it is not a one-step process. Never put your lenses directly in your eyes as this chemical can cause serious burns and injuries to your cornea. It requires a neutralizing process to make your lenses wearable again.
Hydrogen peroxide often comes with a special case featuring a neutralizer basket. It contains a built-in disc that breakdown hydrogen peroxide molecules into water and oxygen making it safe for you to wear contacts. With other cases, you may need neutralising tablets which further add a step to your daily cleansing routine.
Saline Solution
Saline solution is a solution of distilled water and salt. It safely rinses and stores your lenses. However, they can neither clean your lenses from protein buildup nor disinfect them from bacterial contamination. It is best to follow with other solutions to disinfect your contact lenses to keep it hydrated.
How to Remove Protein Deposits From Contacts Effectively?
There are a variety of cleaning devices available, each engineered differently and serves a different purpose. Most cleaning devices use ultrasonic sound waves or subsonic agitation. In this case, disinfection takes place through multi-purpose contact lens solution or ultraviolet light.
Some of the cleaning devices would also create an abrasive reaction during the disinfection process. If you are not a fan of loud noises, there are also other devices that make lesser sounds and cleans contact lenses effectively. These usually cost higher though.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic cleaning devices such as 3N cleaner performs thorough cleaning because it removes protein build-up from contact lenses. It effectively removes impurities and protein debris within 30 seconds. Ultrasonic waves impact the lens structure adversely hence reduces the life span of contacts. With an ultrasonic device, it will help protect your contact lenses from further damage.
How does it work? When high frequency ultrasonic waves pass through the cleaning solution, it forms microscopic bubbles, expands, and will collapse within the liquid. The process, which is known as cavitation, causes oils, dirt, and other impurities to fall off the lens.
Electrolysis Devices
This method generates superoxides that is meant for cleaning and sterilizing contact lenses in an electrolytic solution. This process includes hydrogen peroxide, which is known as an antiseptic, to get the job done. An electrolysis device comes with a container in the form of a lens casing. It will then require disinfectant solution filled in both chambers where the lenses will then be immersed in it to be cleaned.
Conclusion
It can be serious damage to your eyes if you did not take care of your eyes or the lens carefully. Changing the contact lens, remove protein buildup or even care regimen is not enough to ward off deposits. Blurred vision and spots in your field of vision could mean anything, so it’s best to get a doctor’s opinion on the matter.
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