Question
QUESTION: Dr. Ken: Greetings. I have been using the opti-free family brand for my contacts for a really long time. Recently, my eye doctor switched me to new brands of contacts. They advised me to use opti-free as normal, and then use this solution called Clean Clear once a week, while soaking it for at least 6 hours. They said to use saline to wash it out if necessary. What does saline exactly do? Even if saline is used, wouldn't that still be considered "mixing solutions"? In your experience, is that even healthy for the eye?
ANSWER: Dear Kenny:
You didn't specify why your doctor switched your solutions. Was it because your eyes weren't tolerating it, eyes getting irritated or red, or were your lenses becoming very dirty with significant muco-protein deposits?? Saline solution is prescribed often as a rinsing agent primarily to rid the contact lens of any buildup, debris, and preservatives. I prefer a non-preservative saline solution so as to not introduce more chemicals which can be toxic to the delicate eye tissues. Hope this helps
Dr. Ken
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Well my doctor did not switch solutions. He switched my contact lenses. The doctor said just use opti-free replensih, but then the receptionist who is also an eye car professional said that to use Clear Care once a week and then have saline to rinse it out. But keep using opti-free but just using the clear care and saline once a week to disinfect further. Is that even healthy? Isn't that still considered "mixing solutions" even if you take the contacts out of your eyes, putting it in that special case with clear care solution, and then putting it back in, and then later on using opti-free to store it as you take the contacts out of your eyes? Is that even healthy?
Answer
Optifree Replenish and Clear Care are both excellent disinfectant modalities. Im my professional opinion, it is not necessary to add another system to an already existing, quite efficacious one, with a good tolerance rate and a good "kill" rate towards the "bugs" (bacteria, virus, acanthemoeba, spores, etc). Anything more is overkill. It has been proven however, that with most non-rub formulas, it is indeed better to rub the conatct lens to move surface debris, pathogens (microbes), oils, and lipids that accumulate and become tenaciously adherent to the contact lens. When "mixing" solutions , one always has the potential of cross-reactions, buildup, and allergy, and incompatability with the material. hope this helps you out.
ALSO, please understand that if the hydrogen peroxide in the Clear Care or AO Sept system is not properly neutralized and instilled into the eye, it can cause tremendous, burning, stinging, redness, and edema with can lead to chemical keratitis and conjunctivitis
