Rules for storing contact lenses. Alternative liquids for short-term storage.
Sense organs help us interact with the world around us. The more clearly we perceive information, the more correctly we understand and react to it.
Thanks to the eyes and vision, we see the color and shape, the emotions of the world.
More recently, vision problems were treated with glasses. But with the development of technology, contact lenses have become worthy successors in many cases.
True, along with the physical comfort of wearing them, the habits of caring for them and purchasing a special solution were added.
And if the latter runs out or a person finds himself in conditions where it is not possible to get liquid for lenses, experience and common sense will come to the rescue.
Let's talk in more detail about alternative liquids that can temporarily replace contact lens solution.
What does lens solution consist of: composition
contact lenses with drops of liquid inside lie on the table.
There are a lot of offers from manufacturers of solutions for contact lenses. However, there are general points that the first ones take into account when creating each:
- Saline solution. In terms of its chemical parameters, it is as close as possible to human eye fluid. This ensures the integrity of the lenses and the preservation of their original characteristics.
- The pH level is an important factor in preserving and extending the life of lenses. Its optimal indicator is 7.4.
- Preservatives are also disinfectants. Their task is to eliminate bacteria and fungi and prevent their reproduction. On the other hand, preservatives help preserve the lens material. Please note that excessive amounts of preservatives have a detrimental effect on the storage and use of lenses.
- Soap ingredients.
- Surfactants help remove contaminants from lenses caused by eye secretions and accumulated dirt. They are also involved in the process of moistening the lens material while they are in a container with liquid.
- Air conditioner. It is responsible for moisturizing the lenses. A number of liquids contain hyaluronic acid, which has not the most rosy reviews. The fact is that it provides high comfort for a short period of time and significantly impairs the disinfecting properties of the liquid.
Summing up
It is theoretically possible to replace lens solution with alternative options, but it is extremely undesirable . Only a special solution can provide the proper level of cleaning and disinfection. All of the above methods can be used only as a last resort, while keeping in mind the possible consequences and losses.
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Is it possible to put lenses in water with salt or saline overnight for storage?
lenses in a container are filled with saline solution from a bottle.
In the previous section, we looked at the possibility of short-term storage of lenses in water with salt.
Let us add that you can use saline solution as a liquid for a similar purpose. It will help you solve the problem of storing lenses overnight. However, it is not recommended for long-term or regular use. Since modern silicone hydrogel lenses will swell from such treatment and quickly deteriorate.
Storage temperature
Lenses that are in unopened sealed packaging are stored at room temperature. They should be transported at temperatures from 5 to 45°C in a case protected from sunlight.
| Storage method | Shelf life |
| In a sealed container from the manufacturer before opening the package at a temperature of 5 to 45°C | no more than 2-3 years |
| After opening, before use | Several months, it is better not to open the package until immediate use |
| In the refrigerator or freezer | Storage is not permitted |
Is it possible to put lenses in eye drops overnight for storage?
an open container with lenses that have been soaked in eye drops all night.
The answer is yes, only in the most urgent cases. At the same time, be sure to disinfect the container in which you plan to put the lenses. Since such a liquid does not have antibacterial components.
Is it possible to wash lenses with running water?
We have already explained why it is highly not recommended to fill the container in which lenses are stored with ordinary water. But most users probably have another question. Is it possible to wash lenses with running water? Ophthalmologists strongly advise against doing this. Even in that short period of time while you wash optical products with water, various kinds of bacteria can settle on their surface, many of which often become causative agents of ophthalmological diseases, for example, conjunctivitis. Moreover, if you frequently wash the lenses with water, this can lead to the loss of their original properties and have a very negative impact on their quality.
Is it possible to put lenses in distilled, boiled, or ordinary water overnight for storage?
liquid is dripping into the container for storing lenses.
Avoid this idea if you plan to put on lenses in the morning. They absorb ordinary water well and swell. This is fraught with changes in their thickness, diopters, focus shift and, as a result, damage.
For one emergency use, you can put the lenses in water. Only on the condition that in the morning you transfer them to a special liquid and leave them in it for half a day. And only then put on the lenses.
Options for temporary replacement of storage solution
Experts still allow the use of water as an alternative, but there are a number of reservations:
- the liquid is not used in its pure form, but in the form of a saline solution based on it;
- the nature of such replacement should only be short-term;
- any water must be pre-boiled (even bottled or distilled);
- After such a forced replacement of the medium, it is necessary to place it as soon as possible for several hours in a liquid recommended by the manufacturer.
How to clean contact lenses if there is no lens solution?
a person rinses a container for storing contact lenses with saline solution.
Perhaps the safest liquids for washing contact lenses, besides special ones, are:
- saline solution
- salted distilled water
- emollient eye drops
Warning
It must be clearly understood that such an alternative can only be used in exceptional cases. The purpose of contact lenses is often not only to correct vision defects, but also to prevent their development.
For example, wearing Acuvue Oasys 1 Day for Astigmatism (or their multi-day version - Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism with Hydraclear Plus) can prevent serious problems that advanced astigmatism can lead to. This allows us to classify these products as medical equipment, and not just as auxiliary equipment, which explains the importance of following the rules for their use and storage.
Rules for caring for contact lenses
girl puts on a contact lens
- Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before putting on and removing lenses. Dry them with a lint-free towel.
- Carefully remove the lenses from your eyes one at a time.
- Rinse each with a couple of drops of a special solution.
- Place in a clean, dry container. Always store the right and left lenses in the same compartment.
- Fill each halfway with lens fluid and screw on the caps.
- Leave it on the table/stand/shelf in the bathroom.
- After putting on the lenses, dispense the liquid from the container and rinse its cells with a fresh special solution.
- Turn the container upside down and leave to dry on a paper towel.
- Follow the recommendations for how long you should wear your pair of lenses and replace them with new ones regularly.
So, we have reviewed the list and features of using improvised liquids for short-term storage of contact lenses if a special liquid is not at hand. We also once again remembered the rules for storing lenses.
Stay healthy and keep a minimum supply of special liquid for your contact lenses on hand!
What can't be used?
- Water. Both tap and boiled water cannot be used for temporary storage of optical instruments, since it contains a large number of bacteria.
- Saliva. The opinion that you can wet your lenses with your own saliva at night is wrong; there are also plenty of microbes in it.
- The absence of any liquid will lead to the lenses drying out completely and making them impossible to use further.
It is strictly forbidden to immerse lenses in the following liquids:
- in any water except distilled (tap, boiled, mineral, bottled drinking, etc.);
- in ophthalmic solutions not intended for contact lenses;
- into micellar water;
- into your own saliva.
There are a couple of discouraging points, right? Of course, I heard one story about 10 years ago: my friend’s aunt, in order not to throw away her fallen contact lens, carried it home in her mouth... But it’s better to buy a new one. Anyone who has ever treated bacterial conjunctivitis will probably agree with me.
In the end, there is another obvious truth - but for some reason not for everyone: you cannot store lenses without solution. Even in half an hour they will dry out and turn from auxiliary optical products into a direct threat to your vision.
So, if you suddenly run out of contact lens solution, the easiest and most correct option is to immediately buy a new one. If this is not possible, saline solution can be used as an emergency measure. If you don’t have access to a pharmacy, you will have to sacrifice moisturizing drops (almost the entire bottle will go away at once).
Is it possible to do without liquid?
The most undesirable and harsh option is to leave the lenses in your eyes at night, simply to sleep in them. But it is important to understand that such a blasphemous attitude towards the eyes may not completely go unnoticed. The same goes for your correction products.
Well, the most extreme method is to leave them in containers without any moisture. They will dry out and can be revived in the morning by keeping them in a special solution for about 12 hours. But this method can lead to serious damage to the lenses, and is categorically undesirable.
How to determine if lenses have deteriorated
As a result of improper storage of contact lenses in liquids not intended for this purpose or, worse, in air, the lens may deteriorate.
If the polymer lens dries out, its edges become damaged and microcracks appear on the surface. Their friction against the cornea of the eye causes damage to it. If the shape of the product is damaged, the size and thickness of the lens changes, and, accordingly, the diopter, and the focus shifts. Visual acuity deteriorates.
To determine if a lens is bad, place it on the pad of your finger and look at the light. The edges should be smooth. If there are stains on the lens or it has turned yellow, or its edges are uneven, throw it away without regret. You can no longer wear such contact optics.
In any case, if you notice that while wearing contact lenses your vision has deteriorated, you feel a foreign body in the eye, pain, or your eyes turn red, do not use these lenses. Most likely they are spoiled.
To avoid getting into an unpleasant situation when you need to remove your lenses but have nowhere to put them, make it a rule to carry with you a lens container filled with a special multifunctional solution.
Care Tips
In order to minimize the possibility of infection of optical devices, it is also necessary to be responsible for the container for their storage.
First of all, do not forget to regularly change it to a new one after a month of use. In addition, the container should be washed with a disinfectant liquid, not tap water.
Do not dilute the liquid in the container. It is always correct to pour new solution. Approximately once a week the container must be treated with boiling water or steam.
And finally, a few rules that, if followed, will help extend the life of your optical devices and avoid eye infections:
- Lenses should be stored and washed only with a specialized solution.
- Lenses should be left overnight in a container specially designed for this purpose. This will protect them from dust and various microorganisms, and also prevent dehydration.
- You should not sleep in lenses. This increases the risk of infection.
- If your appliances are damaged in any way or have expired, they must be replaced immediately.
Your brownie.
Our market offers many different formulations designed for storing and disinfecting contact lenses. In order not to make a mistake in the choice, all aspects are taken into account, including the shelf life of the solution, which can be from 24 hours to six months. You should also select a composition suitable for this type of product and the characteristics of the body in order to eliminate possible allergic reactions and eye irritation.
It is important to read and follow the instructions for use and maintenance. If products have reached the end of their shelf life, they should be thrown away. Also, do not drip optics cleaner into your eyes. It can be irritating and lead to eye inflammation. Therefore, for such purposes you need to use special eye drops.
- Be sure to drain any remaining solution from the container after removing contact lenses.
- It is necessary to rinse the tank with fresh disinfectant liquid each time.
- After cleaning, you need to dry the container in a room with low humidity (place it upside down on a clean cloth).
By changing lenses on time, as well as carefully observing the replacement regimen and care rules, you can ensure maximum safety of your visual organs. Optical products will allow you to enjoy clear vision every day without causing discomfort. Remember that their selection should be made by an ophthalmologist after an examination.
You can profitably buy contact correction products on the Ochkov.Net website in just a couple of clicks. We guarantee you ease of ordering and fast delivery of products throughout Russia. We wish you successful purchases!
Nuances
So is it possible to store lenses in saline solution? Now you know what is possible. Nevertheless, doctors recommend always having a specific remedy with you. But if you went on a trip and forgot it, you can use the saline solution several times.
You should not immediately put on lenses after saline solution. It is better to put them in a special solution for 2 hours. This will allow the optical product to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Do not use saline solution too often. If your eyes are very sensitive, you may experience allergies. Therefore, you should not get carried away with home remedies.
How to care?
We will find out later how to store lenses without solution and container, but now we will look at the maintenance of these devices. Daily care consists of the following sequential stages:
- Cleaning lenses. It should be done like this: first place the lenses on your palm, then apply a couple of drops of a specific solution to them and carefully rub them over the entire surface.
- Washing with solution.
- Lens disinfection. Place the lenses in a special container and completely fill them with liquid, in which they should remain for at least 4 hours. Here you need to take into account that a previously used solution cannot be used for disinfection.
- Saving is carried out using a special container and solution made for this purpose.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Rybkin’s table for color blindness
