Protein Removal From Soft Contact Lenses

You must be gentle when cleaning your soft contant lenses.

Soft contact lenses fit over the cornea to correct vision without the use of eyeglasses. Over time, they develop a film on them, as well as external debris and protein deposits. Your tears can deposit this protein -- and while it's natural -- the buildup needs to be removed regularly from your lenses to keep your eyes healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Protein removal solution
• Multipurpose solution
• Saline solution
• Contact lens case with basket
• Contact lens flat case

Instructions

Protein Removal Solution

1. Wash your hands with an unscented antibacterial soap before touching your lenses. Remove your contact lenses from your eye or from the case.

2. Clean your right lens with a multipurpose solution. To do so, place the contact lens in the palm of your hand. Squirt a few drops of the multipurpose solution on the lens. Rub gently with the pads of your fingers. Massage the solution in a circular motion for at least 20 seconds on each side of the lens. Squirt the lens once more with the multipurpose solution to rinse. Repeat with your other lens.

3. Open the lens case basket and place the lenses carefully inside the designated basket. They are usually marked R for right and L for left. Close the basket and add the drops of protein removal solution to the cup, according to the directions. Place the basket in the cup. Close the case and allow the lenses to soak for two hours.

4. Remove the lenses and cleanse them again with the multipurpose solution -- when the soaking time is over -- then rinse. To make sure you have removed all protein deposits, fill the case cup with sterile saline. Place the lenses back into the basket and lock the unit. If there are bubbles, open it up, pour out the saline and fill it up again. Do this until you see no bubbles.

5. Remove your lenses from the basket once more and clean and rinse like you normally do at night. Allow your lens to soak in the multipurpose solution in their regular case overnight.

Enzyme Tablet

1. Wash your hands with an unscented antibacterial soap before touching your lenses. Remove your contact lenses from your eye or from the case.

2. Clean your right lens with a multipurpose solution. To do so, place the contact lens in the palm of your hand. Squirt a few drops of the multipurpose solution on the lens. Rub gently with the pads of your fingers. Massage the solution in a circular motion for at least 20 seconds on each side of the lens. Squirt the lens once more with the multipurpose solution to rinse. Repeat with your other lens.

3. Pour multipurpose solution into your nightly contact lens case as normal. Drop in enzyme tablets into the case, following product instructions for exact amount.

4. Allow to soak overnight. Clean the lenses with multipurpose solution as normal in the morning before insertion. Use your enzyme tablet once a week.

References

• Contact Lens Doctor: Contact Lens Protein Removal
• All About Vision: Caring for Soft Contact Lenses
• Eye Search: Soft Daily Wear Contacts

Resources

• AOA: What You Need to Know About Contact Lens Hygiene & Compliance