Best Contact Lens Solutions for Hard Rigid Gas Permeable or Scleral Contact Lenses
8:52 PMFor the roughly 11% of all contact lens wearers that wear hard or rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, finding the right cleaning and storage solution is a lot more complicated than just grabbing something off the shelf at the drug store. Most readily available contact lens cleaning solutions are meant to clean soft, disposable contact lenses and won't clean and disinfect RGP lenses thoroughly enough to be safe. Because RGP and scleral contact lenses are replaced much less frequently than soft lenses (yearly to every few years, depending on the patient), keeping the contact lens surface clean of debris and protected against infections, chips and scratches is essential to both comfort and clear vision!
The biggest risk with contact lens wear, whether you wear soft or RGP lenses, is corneal infection. Unfortunately it's possible to be blinded by contact lens wear, so proper hygiene and care is essential. For patients wearing RGP or scleral lenses, the risk of infection is extremely low with only 2 cases per 10,000 patients reported. Compare that to soft contact lens wearers who have an incidence of 25.4 cases per 10,000 patients for those who wear monthly disposable overnight wear soft contact lenses! Even though the risks of infection are much lower when you wear daytime wear RGP lenses than overnight wear soft contact lenses, because patients wear these lenses for much longer, up to a few years at a time, the repeat exposure to bacteria can cause significant risk.
So which solutions are the best to use? Here are the top options on the market:
Multipurpose Systems: All-in-one solution systems (sometimes abbreviated MPS solutions) are super convenient because in just one bottle you can clean, disinfect, store, and condition your contact lens overnight. Many RGP contact lens solutions will mention "conditioning" -- that means improving the wettability of the contact lens so that it stays better hydrated on your eye to maintain great comfort and clear vision.
Boston Simplus: This cleaner and storage solution has protein deposit removal that is comparable to more abrasive cleaners on the market with the pro of being an all-in-one solution. For best results, the manufacturer recommends storing the contact lens in the solution overnight, then rubbing and rinsing the lens in the morning before putting your lenses in. No night time rub required.
Preservatives: clorhexidine gluconate and PAPB
Unique pH: This solution is an all-in-one cleaner and storage solution that works to hydrate or condition the contact lens by adjusting to the natural pH of the tears on the surface of your eye. As your tear film pH decreases (becomes more acidic), the solution becomes thinner to help maintain comfort and visual performance.
Preservatives: polyquaternium-1 and EDTATangible Clean Multipurpose Solution: Tangible Clean can be used to clean both rigid gas permeable (hard) and soft contact lenses. It is ideal to use if your lenses have Tangible HydraPEG coating - a wetting agent applied to the surface of the lens to improve comfort and reduce dryness. Learn more about the benefits of Tangible Hydra-PEG in this post. Preservative: 0.0001% polyhexanide
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| Tangible Clean is a multipurpose solution that is most compatible with Tangible Hydra-PEG coated contact lenses. Harsher solutions may strip or damage the Tangible Hydra-PEG coating. via |
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your lens has Tangible Hydra-PEG coating, NEVER rinse the lens with water because that will cause the coating to disintegrate. NEVER clean your lenses with any abrasive/deposit remover type of contact lens cleaner - Tangible Clean is your best option to preserve and protect your coating!
Progent: This 2 solution deposit remover is recommended to be used biweekly for RGP wearers with heavy deposits. A 30 minute soak of the lens in the sodium hypochlorie and potassium bromide mixture causes an oxidation reaction that breaks down debris. Definitely do NOT use this on any Tangible Hydra-PEG treated lens.
The Cons: Daily lens cleaners require that extra step of needing a second solution to rinse and store the lenses. Because of the chemical properties of salines or multi-purpose solutions, rinsing the lenses with these options requires a steady stream of solution and a thorough rinse to both sides of the lens. Historically, many RGP wearers were taught to rinse off daily cleaners with tap water, but studies have shown this could increase the risk of blinding microbial infections from Acanthamoeba. Many daily cleaners still mention rinsing with water on their instruction labels, however. As the FDA considers making changes to these instructions, it's safest to avoid using tap water with contact lenses all together, and if you do rinse daily cleaner off your RGP lenses with water, make sure you then immediately use a multipurpose disinfecting solution to clean your lenses and help reduce the risk of contamination and infection.
Also of note is that RGP lenses with Tangible Hydra-PEG coatings should NOT be cleaned with abrasive daily cleaners like Boston Advance due to the risk of damaging the surface coating.
4. Storage, Disinfecting, and Conditioning Solutions
These solutions are designed for overnight storage. They improve RGP lens wettability by hydrating the surface of the lens and improving it's ability to adhere to your tear film for best vision stability and on-eye comfort. They also have disinfectant abilities to prevent contamination of the lenses while being stored overnight or over several days.
Boston Original Conditioning Solution: For conditioning and disinfecting, soak lenses for at least 4 hours. This is a tried and true formula is getting harder to find and has been largely replaced in favor of the Boston Advance Conditioning Solution below.
Preservatives: chlorhexidine gluconate and EDTA
Boston Advance Conditioning Solution: This conditioning solution is made for disinfecting, storage, and improved wettability. It's designed to partner as the 2nd step after using the Boston Advance Daily Lens Cleaner.
Preservatives: chlorhexidine gluconate, polyaminopropyl biguanide, edetate disodium
Always check with your doctor about the most appropriate cleaning and storage solutions for your eyes. It's possible for patients to have allergic reactions to specific preservatives, and that's why I've listed them here for quick reference. Taking the extra time to properly clean (with a rub!), rinse, and condition your lenses overnight can not only prevent potentially blinding infections, but can greatly improve your entire contact lens experience by keeping your RGP and scleral lenses comfortable and clear all day long.
This post contains affiliate links to the products listed
The Cons: These solutions are extremely popular due to convenience, but if you get a lot of deposits or build up on your contact lenses, you may need a more abrasive, extra-strength cleaner. If you have significant protein build-up, adding a daily cleaner (below) is likely necessary. But remember, check with your doctor first to make sure it would not damage any coatings on your lenses!
Hydrogen Peroxide Based Cleaners
ClearCare: This peroxide based cleaner is an all-in one option that cleans lenses overnight (6 hours). The hydrogen peroxide solution is converted to saline via an enzymatic reaction in the special case design. This solution can be used for both RGP and soft contact lenses. To properly disinfect RGP lenses, the manufacturer recommends putting 2-4 drops of ClearCare directly on the contact lens and then rub the lens with your finger tips. Place the contact lens in the appropriate right and left sides of the case basket, and then rinse the lenses with ClearCare directly for 5 seconds. Only after this manual rub and rinse can you fill the case with solution, close the lid, and let the contact lenses clean overnight. Note- the Triple Action version of ClearCare is often cited as preferred for cleaning RGP lenses over the newer formulation with HydraGlyde, but many of my patients use the HydraGlyde version with great results. If you feel like the lens feels gummy or slimy with HydraGlyde, you will prefer the original Triple Action formula. HydraGlyde is a wetting agent that has been added to the new formulation for lens comfort and wettability.
Preservative Free
The Cons: These solutions must be allowed a full 6 hours or overnight to convert, otherwise they will cause significant discomfort and toxic corneal burn if hydrogen peroxide directly contacts the cornea. If you have had this happen to you, the pain can be severe but luckily the damage is superficial and won't cause any permanent harm to the cornea.
While these solutions have strong disinfecting properties, once the hydrogen peroxide has been converted, there is no preservative coverage to prevent contamination if you leave the lenses sitting in the storage container for days at a time. Manufacturers advise not to leave a lens stored for more than 7 days. If you have back up lenses, it is always safest to store them dry and then clean them again before their next use.
Extra Strength Deposit Removers
These are extra-strength cleaners are either surfactant (soap) based to remove build up and debris or abrasive cleaners to remove more stubborn deposits. This category of cleaner will come with a red cap to warn users not to get the solution directly in contact with the eye. After using a daily cleaner, a separate solution will be necessary to rinse and then store the contact lenses. Do NOT use these cleaners if your contact lens has Tangible Hydra-PEG coating.
Boston Advance Cleaner: This abrasive daily cleaner uses silica gel to physically scrub off proteins and deposits. To use, place 2-4 drops of cleaner on the contact lens and then rub between your fingers for 20 seconds. Thoroughly rinse off the cleaner, and then store the contact lens overnight with Boston Advance Conditioning Solution.
Hydrogen Peroxide Based Cleaners
Preservative Free
The Cons: These solutions must be allowed a full 6 hours or overnight to convert, otherwise they will cause significant discomfort and toxic corneal burn if hydrogen peroxide directly contacts the cornea. If you have had this happen to you, the pain can be severe but luckily the damage is superficial and won't cause any permanent harm to the cornea.
While these solutions have strong disinfecting properties, once the hydrogen peroxide has been converted, there is no preservative coverage to prevent contamination if you leave the lenses sitting in the storage container for days at a time. Manufacturers advise not to leave a lens stored for more than 7 days. If you have back up lenses, it is always safest to store them dry and then clean them again before their next use.
Extra Strength Deposit Removers
These are extra-strength cleaners are either surfactant (soap) based to remove build up and debris or abrasive cleaners to remove more stubborn deposits. This category of cleaner will come with a red cap to warn users not to get the solution directly in contact with the eye. After using a daily cleaner, a separate solution will be necessary to rinse and then store the contact lenses. Do NOT use these cleaners if your contact lens has Tangible Hydra-PEG coating.
Boston Advance Cleaner: This abrasive daily cleaner uses silica gel to physically scrub off proteins and deposits. To use, place 2-4 drops of cleaner on the contact lens and then rub between your fingers for 20 seconds. Thoroughly rinse off the cleaner, and then store the contact lens overnight with Boston Advance Conditioning Solution.
The Cons: Daily lens cleaners require that extra step of needing a second solution to rinse and store the lenses. Because of the chemical properties of salines or multi-purpose solutions, rinsing the lenses with these options requires a steady stream of solution and a thorough rinse to both sides of the lens. Historically, many RGP wearers were taught to rinse off daily cleaners with tap water, but studies have shown this could increase the risk of blinding microbial infections from Acanthamoeba. Many daily cleaners still mention rinsing with water on their instruction labels, however. As the FDA considers making changes to these instructions, it's safest to avoid using tap water with contact lenses all together, and if you do rinse daily cleaner off your RGP lenses with water, make sure you then immediately use a multipurpose disinfecting solution to clean your lenses and help reduce the risk of contamination and infection.
Also of note is that RGP lenses with Tangible Hydra-PEG coatings should NOT be cleaned with abrasive daily cleaners like Boston Advance due to the risk of damaging the surface coating.
4. Storage, Disinfecting, and Conditioning Solutions
These solutions are designed for overnight storage. They improve RGP lens wettability by hydrating the surface of the lens and improving it's ability to adhere to your tear film for best vision stability and on-eye comfort. They also have disinfectant abilities to prevent contamination of the lenses while being stored overnight or over several days.
Boston Original Conditioning Solution: For conditioning and disinfecting, soak lenses for at least 4 hours. This is a tried and true formula is getting harder to find and has been largely replaced in favor of the Boston Advance Conditioning Solution below.
Preservatives: chlorhexidine gluconate and EDTA
Boston Advance Conditioning Solution: This conditioning solution is made for disinfecting, storage, and improved wettability. It's designed to partner as the 2nd step after using the Boston Advance Daily Lens Cleaner.
Preservatives: chlorhexidine gluconate, polyaminopropyl biguanide, edetate disodium
Always check with your doctor about the most appropriate cleaning and storage solutions for your eyes. It's possible for patients to have allergic reactions to specific preservatives, and that's why I've listed them here for quick reference. Taking the extra time to properly clean (with a rub!), rinse, and condition your lenses overnight can not only prevent potentially blinding infections, but can greatly improve your entire contact lens experience by keeping your RGP and scleral lenses comfortable and clear all day long.
This post contains affiliate links to the products listed
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