Choosing the best contact lens solution
Basic contact lens solutions can get the job done for most people who wear contact lenses. The number of choices on store shelves, though, can get overwhelming. Your eye doctor helps choose your lenses, but when it comes to contact solutions, the purchasing choice is yours (even with a doctor’s recommendation).
The purpose of a contact lens solution is to keep your contacts clean, clear and well-hydrated. This will help your eyes stay comfortable throughout the day. To help you decide which solution is right for you, we’ve put together a list of this year’s recommended options. We’ve even included options for those with special concerns, like sensitive or dry eyes, so that everyone can find what they need.
Best overall contact solutions
Multipurpose solutions can be an option for many contact lens wearers. These solutions clean and disinfect at the same time. You can also use them to rinse and store your lenses.
Certain multipurpose solutions can also be formulated to add an extra layer of moisture and protection so you can wear them longer. Does it make a difference? That is something you'll have to decide for yourself.
Some options contain hyaluronan, a natural lubricant found in your very own tears. For a product meant to help your eyes stay hydrated, this sounds like something that makes a lot of sense.
READ MORE: What happens if I cry with my contacts in?
Best deep-cleaning contact solutions
Contact lens solutions containing hydrogen peroxide can be an all-purpose disinfectant that is also safe (and allows your lenses to get clean).
The cleaning process for solutions with hydrogen peroxide has several steps. It takes a little longer to use than some other solutions. You’ll need to allow at least six hours between cleaning your lenses and wearing them. Some might consider the extra work a small price to pay, though, for clean contact lenses.
If six hours is too long to wait for clean contacts, there are other options that claim to do the job in four. These options could kill up to 99.99% of germs while also keeping your contacts hydrated for up to 20 hours.
Best contact solution for dry eyes
Do you ever feel like your lenses are stuck like glue to your eyeballs after several hours of wear? Advances in multipurpose solutions with proprietary hydrating ingredients can help with enhanced moisturization of the contact lens during the cleaning process.
LEARN MORE: Best eye drops for dry eyes
Best contact solution for sensitive eyes
Eyes that get red and irritated can get even more red and irritated by contact lenses. This can happen because of seasonal allergies, or an allergy to the solution itself. Some people are allergic to contact lenses, too.
To help with problems like this, the first order of business is to clean and disinfect contact lenses a lot. This means daily. Beyond that, though, it is also a good idea to find a solution that does not have preservatives. Preservatives can irritate eyes in some people.
The best contact lens solution for gas permeable lenses
If you would like to skip the old two-step process on your gas permeable (GP) lenses, a multipurpose solution is okay. Not a random multipurpose solution, though. You need to choose one made especially for GPs.
Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of choices. Multipurpose solutions for GP lenses are hard to find. There are certain brands, though, that can remove daily protein buildup while also saving you time and effort (something traditional GP solutions don't offer). Note: If you prefer, you can also clean your GP lenses with certain hydrogen peroxide solutions.
Finding the best contact lens solution for you
A list like this can help narrow down your choices. It can also guide you toward the lens solution that works for your individual needs.
Finding that perfect lens solution for you still might take some trial and error, though. When in doubt? We recommend speaking to your eye care professional (this is especially important if you have any special concerns or conditions). They can let you know which ones to try — or maybe even which ones to avoid.
