Can I Use Regular 3% Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean My Contact Lenses?

Jakub Odcházel

Medically reviewed by Jakub Odcházel, Chief Optician, on 21 Feb 2020
Written past Leonie Bauer

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a colourless liquid, usually available as an aqueous solution, which is mainly used in the product of cosmetics, for bleaching cotton and fifty-fifty as rocket fuel.

But peroxide tin be even more versatile. It is likewise used in contact lens solutions. Here the agent plays an important role in cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses. Peroxide is very popular with allergy sufferers and lens wearers who suffer from dry out eyes.

How does this unique care product piece of work? We accept answered the vi most frequently asked questions about peroxide solutions.

Both hydrogen peroxide and multi-purpose solutions clean and disinfect contact lenses by breaking up and removing trapped deposits, proteins and fat deposits (lipids).

However, unlike multi-purpose solutions such as Solunate, peroxide solutions are preservative-free, which makes them suitable for allergy sufferers who react to certain preservatives. These solutions, also called peroxide systems, are peculiarly well tolerated and extremely effective confronting germs.

Peroxide solutions are mainly used for disinfecting soft contact lenses, but some of them can besides exist used for the intendance of hard contact lenses.

The best-known peroxide systems include AOSEPT PLUS and EasySept 360 ml with case.

If you'd like to acquire virtually other peroxide solutions, have a look at all of our peroxide-based care products.

2. How to employ peroxide solutions

The use of peroxide systems requires extra care, compared to multi-purpose solutions. After cleaning the contact lenses, the hydrogen peroxide contained in the solution must be neutralised before the lenses can be worn.

If neutralisation is not carried out properly, the hydrogen peroxide that gets into your eyes tin cause stinging, called-for and temporary damage to the cornea. The neutraliser converts the peroxide into water and oxygen, ensuring that you can use your lenses without problems.

3. What are single-stage peroxide systems?

With a unmarried-stage peroxide solution, the lenses ordinarily accept to be kept for several hours in the peroxide system until the solution is completely neutralised in the special container provided.

In a single-phase peroxide organization, the solution is poured into a special contact lens container, and then neutralised with a special tablet, which is commonly supplied by the manufacturer together with the solution.

iv. What are two-stage peroxide systems?

Two-stage peroxide systems disinfect your contact lenses thoroughly, every bit the concentration of hydrogen peroxide remains constant throughout the disinfection process.

In a two-stage peroxide system, the peroxide solution is tending of at the terminate of the disinfection flow and the container is filled with a 2nd solution – the neutralisation solution. To avoid an unpleasant burning sensation, information technology is of import to go out your contact lenses in the neutralisation solution for every bit long as the manufacturer prescribes.

If the solution is not completely neutralised, it could still be harmful to the eyes. If you adopt, you can soak the lenses in a normal saline solution before inserting them.

five. How long does the neutralisation phase take?

The neutralisation process usually takes up to 6 hours. However, please observe the neutralisation time specified past the manufacturer in the package leaflet. After neutralisation, your contact lenses must not come into contact with the peroxide solution.

The duration of the neutralisation process in two-stage systems is somewhat shorter than in one-stage systems, because in the ii-phase organization only the peroxide remaining in the contact lenses needs to exist neutralised and not the entire contents of the container.

vi. What is the safest style to utilise peroxide solutions?

Before using a new contact lens solution, read all the instructions on the package and bottle.
Be sure to use the special contact lens case that comes with your hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution. Do not use an old lens case when you receive a new bottle of peroxide-based contact lens solution. If yous exercise, the peroxide volition not be neutralised correctly.
Exit your lenses in the solution for at least 6 hours to allow the neutralisation process to consummate.
Never rinse your lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions and never put hydrogen peroxide solution directly in the optics, so as to avoid whatever form of damage.
Do not let anyone else to utilize your hydrogen peroxide solution. Your friends and family members may fault the peroxide solution for a multi-purpose ane and not employ it co-ordinate to the specific instructions for this kind of solution.