Many contact lens care solutions and systems are available to you and your patients today. Changes in formulation have resulted in new approvals or recommendations for some contact lens solutions on the market. Manufacturers have combined the properties of multi-step care regimens into formulations that require less work for your patients.

It can sometimes be difficult to sift through marketing materials and determine which solution is best for your individual patients needs. What follows is a list of updated solutions, their basic properties, and new indications.

Gas Permeable Lens Care
Surface cleaning, conditioning and soaking, and deposit resistance were all once required steps in healthy gas permeable lens wear. Now, most systems incorporate two or more of these to promote compliance. 

Unique pH
Manufacturer: Alcon Laboratories
Cleaning agents: Tetronic, boric acid, propylene glycol.
Preservatives: Polyquad (polyquaternium-1) 0.0011%; edetate disodium 0.01%
Indications: Cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and conditioning.
Directions: Digitally rub both sides; rinse; soak minimum 4 hours.

Opti-Free SupraClens Daily Protein Remover  
Manufacturer: Alcon Laboratories
Cleaning agents: Purified porcine pancreatin enzymes.
Preservatives: None.
Indications: Daily enzymatic cleaning for RGP lenses in conjunction with Opti-Free, Opti-One, Opti-Soak, or Unique pH care products. (Also indicated for soft daily and extended-wear lenses.)
Directions: Add 2 drops to case filled to top with Opti-Free, Opti-Soak or Opti-One; shake case; soak 6 hours. (Opti-One, Opti-Free Express) or minimum 4 hours. (Opti-Free, Unique pH); rinse lenses thoroughly before reinsertion.

Boston SimPLUS Multi-Action Solution
Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb
Cleaning agents: Poloxamine, hydroxalkylphosphonate, boric acid, sodium borate, sodium chloride, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and Glucam.
Preservatives: Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.003%; polyaminopropyl biguanide (0.0005%).
Indications: Cleaning, protein removal, rinsing, disinfecting, conditioning, storing and cushioning.
Directions: Soak lenses in case for 4 hours; Digital rubbing both sides 20 seconds with four drops; rinse 5 seconds.

Boston Simplicity Multi-Action Solution
Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb
Cleaning agents: PEO sorbitan monolaurate, betaine surfactant.
Preservatives: Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.003%; poly-aminopropyl biguanide (0.0005%); edatate disodium (0.05%).
Indications: Cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and conditioning.
Directions: Digital rubbing both sides 20 seconds; rinse 5 seconds; soak a minimum 4 hours.

Boston One-Step
Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb
Cleaning agents: Proteolytic enzyme (subtilisin); glycerol.
Preservatives: None.
Indications: Weekly enzymatic cleaning.
Directions: Add 2 drops to case filled to top with Boston cleaner; soak minimum 4 hours; rub/rinse 5 seconds before reinsertion.


Soft Contact Lenses
Patients in our fast-food society dont want to spend a lot of time caring for their soft lenses. While many new products have eliminated the rub step, thorough rinsing is still important. 

Opti-Free Express
Manufacturer: Alcon Laboratories
Cleaning agents: Sodium citrate, AMP-95, Tetronic 1304.
Preservatives: Polyquad 0.001% (polyuaternium-1), Aldox (myristamidopropyl dimethylamine) 0.0005%.
Indications: Daily cleaning, protein removal, rinsing, disinfection and storage.
Instructions: Rinse each side 5 seconds, soak a minimum 6 hours, rinse each side 5 seconds before insertion.
 
Complete Moisture Plus
Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Optics Inc.
Cleaning agents: Poloxamer 237, edetate disodium.
Preservatives: Polyhexamethylene biguanide 0.0001%.
Indications: Daily cleaning, protein removal, rinsing, disinfection and storage.
Instructions: For lenses worn up to 90 days, rinse each side 5 seconds, soak a minimum 6 hours. Rinse each side 5 seconds before insertion. For lenses worn 90+ days rub each side 10 seconds.

ReNu MultiPlus
Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb
Cleaning agents: Poloxamine.
Preservatives: Dymed (polyaminopropyl biguanide) 0.0001%.
Indications: Daily cleaning, protein removal, rinsing, disinfection and storage.
Instructions: For lenses worn up to 30 days, rinse each side 5 seconds, soak a minimum 4 hours. For lenses worn 30+ days, rub each side 20 seconds.

SOLOCare Plus Multipurpose Solution

Manufacturer: CIBA Vision
Cleaning agents: Poloxamer 407 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene).
Preservatives: Edetate disodium dihydrate 0.025%, polyhexanide 0.0001%.
Indications: Daily cleaning, rinsing, protein removal, disinfection and storage.
Instructions: For lenses worn up to 30 days, thoroughly rinse each side of lens; soak a minimum 6 hours. For lenses worn 30+ days, rub each side 10 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and soak a minimum
5 minutes.

AOSEPT Clear Care
 Manufacturer: CIBA Vision
Cleaning agents: Pluronic 17R4.
Preservatives: None.
Indications: Daily cleaning, protein removal and disinfection.
Instructions: Rinse lens 5 seconds each side; soak 6 hours; repeat if stored
24+ hrs.


The PuriLens System
Manufacturer: PuriLens Inc.
Cleaning agents: Chemical-free ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection system.
Preservatives: None.
Indications: Daily cleaning and disinfection of soft contact lenses. (May be used for GP lenses, too.)
Instructions: Place lenses in lens holder, place lens holder in chamber, fill chamber with PuriLens solution, place top on unit; unit shuts off automatically in 15 minutes.

Rewetting/Lubricating Drops

One of the categories that has grown over the last few years is lubricating drops that rewet and in some cases clean lenses while on the eye. These products can help enhance long-term comfort for your extended-wear patients.  Clerz Plus Lens Drops Manufacturer: Alcon Cleaning/lubricating agents: RLM-100 (PEG-II lauryl ether carboxylic acid) and Tetronic 1304. Preservatives: Polyquad 0.001%. Indications: Fights protein build-up during lens wear and rewets lenses. Instructions: With lenses in, put two drops in eye and blink. Refresh Contacts Contact Lens Comfort Drops Manufacturer: Allergan Cleaning/lubricating agents: Sodium chloride, boric acid, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and purified water. Preservatives: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5% and purite (stabilized oxychloro complex). Indications: Lubricates and rewets lenses. Instructions: With lenses in, put one or two drops in eye as often as needed. COMPLETE Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops Manufacturer: Advanced Medical Optics Inc. Cleaning/lubricating agents: Purified water, sodium chloride, hydroxy-propyl methylcellulose, tyloxapol and edetate disodium. Preservatives: Polyhexa-methylen biguanide. Indications: Cleans, rewets and removes protein. Instructions: With lenses in, put one to two drops in eye and blink.  ReNu Multipurpose Lubricating and Rewetting Drops Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb Cleaning/lubricating agents: Povidine, boric acid, potassium chloride, sodium borate and sodium chloride. Preservatives: Edetate di-sodium and sorbic acid. Indications: Lubricates and rewets soft lenses. Instructions:During wear, put two to three drops on contact lens whenever needed. Aquify Manufacturer: CIBA Vision Cleaning/lubricating agents: Sodium hyaluronate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate and sodium perborate. Preservatives: Phosphonic acid. Indications: Moistens and cushions lenses, and provides temporary dry eye relief. Instructions: During wear, put one or two drops in each eye and blink several times.