Neutralization can be either a one-step or two-step process. It turns the peroxide into water and oxygen, making it safe to put lenses into your eyes. If you use a solution that has hydrogen peroxide you absolutely must follow the disinfecting process with a “neutralizer.” A neutralizer is always sold as part of your hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution kit. That’s because this kind of solution can cause stinging, burning, and damage-specifically to your cornea (the clear surface that covers your eye). “You should never put hydrogen peroxide directly into your eyes or on your contact lenses,” Lepri says. The red coloring is a reminder that these products require special handling. Also note that the tip of the bottle is red. The Required Disinfecting Processīefore you use solution with hydrogen peroxide, read all warning labels (which often appear as red boxes on products) and read all instructions. Hydrogen peroxide solutions are preservative-free, which makes them a good option for those who are allergic or sensitive to preservatives in multipurpose solutions. Like multipurpose solutions, when hydrogen peroxide is used in certain contact lens solutions, it helps to clean and disinfect contact lenses by breaking up and removing trapped debris, protein, and fatty deposits. Incorrect care of contacts can increase your risk of eye infections and injury-and can cause blindness in rare cases, Lepri adds. Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed., an FDA optometrist in the agency’s Contact Lens and Retinal Devices Branch. “But over-the-counter products are not all the same,” says Bernard P. Other lens cleaning products contain hydrogen peroxide, which requires special care for safe use.Ĭontact lens solutions are sold over the counter, which means that you don’t need a prescription. For instance, contact lens multipurpose solutions clean, disinfect, and condition contact lenses. (Even if you have perfect vision, and your contact lenses are just “decorative” or “colored,” a contact lens prescription is required by federal law.)īefore you choose a contact lens solution, talk to your eye-care provider about the best cleaning and disinfecting method for you. Contact lenses require a prescription, and all products, including those relating to contact lenses, marketed to consumers must be determined to be safe and effective. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses and certain contact lens care products as medical devices. If you wear contact lenses, the way you clean them can affect your vision and health.įollowing instructions and taking note of product warnings is especially important if you use a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide. Actual products may have a different design, depending on the brand.) Get this high resolution graphic on Flickr. A red warning label and red tip remind you that contact lens solutions with hydrogen peroxide require special handling.

Contacts cleaner for eyes