How to Clean Off Permeable Gas Contact Lenses

Proper care for gas permeable lenses is essential.

Gas permeable lenses are a type of rigid contacts. Gas permeable lenses are generally constructed with silicone, making the lenses more durable and oxygen permeable. Oxygen permeable lenses cause less irritation to your eyes and reduce the chance of eye infections. Hard contact lenses also last longer than soft contacts. As a result, these lenses can last several years: But proper care is essential.

Things You'll Need

• Hand soap
• Water
• Lint-free cloth
• Disinfectant solution
• Storage solution
• Contact lens case

Instructions

1. 

   Clean your hands.

   Wash your hands with hand soap and water. Ensure that all traces of soap are removed from your fingers, between your fingers and on your hands. Dry your hands on a lint-free cloth, which will reduce the chance of small fibers getting trapped underneath your lenses.

2. 

   Take your contacts out.

   Remove the lens from one of your eyes. Place the lens in the palm of your hand, bowl-shape facing up.

3. 

   Apply a few drops of cleaning solution to the lens. Only use solutions specifically designed for your type of lenses, such as solutions made for soft contacts. Using a circular motion with your forefinger, gently rub the lens for a few seconds.

4. 

   Complete the cleaning process.

   Rinse your lens again with cleaning solution. Never use tap water to rinse your lenses. Tap water contains microorganisms that can be harmful if introduced into your eye.

5. 

   Avoid tap water for rinsing lens.

   Place the lens into a contact lens case. Fill the case with storage solution. Repeat the above steps for your other contact lens.

6. Add an enzymatic cleaner to your lens care regimen once a week. This helps to remove protein deposits from the lens.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning solutions should be sterile and if solutions become discolored, throw the solution out.

• Clean your contact lens case out after every use with a multipurpose lens cleaner, and air dry your contact lens case.

• Never make your own contact cleaning solution, such as saline and water.

• Never use water to rinse out your contact lens case.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Contact Lenses: What to Know Before You Buy

Resources

• All ABout Vision: Caring for Gas Permeable Contact Lens
• Corena & Contact Lens Society: Handling Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses