How to Clean Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Though less popular than soft contact lenses, gas permeable contact lenses typically provide sharper vision– especially if you have astigmatism or certain higher-order aberrations.

Custom-made from a rigid oxygen-permeable product, gas permeable contact lenses (also called GP, RGP or oxygen-permeable contacts) are more resistant to proteins and other deposits, making them easy to keep clean. Also, GP lenses have the tendency to last much longer than soft contacts, lowering lens replacement costs.

To keep your gas permeable contacts comfortable and your eyes healthy, make certain to follow your eye care specialist’s instructions concerning lens cleaning and replacement.

Caring for Gas Permeable Lens

It is crucial to use the lens care system that your eye care expert advises for gas permeable contact lenses.

Lens care systems for GP lenses are similar to those for soft lenses, and typically include either:

• The integrated use of different cleaning and disinfecting/storage options; or
• A single multi-purpose solution for cleaning, sanitizing and storage.

In the past, GP lenses often were rinsed with tap water after cleaning. Optometrists and ophthalmologists now advise against this practice, since microorganisms in faucet water can cause eye infections, consisting of Acanthamoeba keratitis. In addition, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that no kind of water (other than which contained in approved contact lens options) been available in contact with contact lenses.

Contact Solution for Gas Permeable Lenses

Washing gas permeable contacts ought to be done only with multi-purpose solution or sterile saline. Never ever rinse your GP lenses in tap water or moisten them with saliva.

GP Lens Cleaning Steps

Follow these actions to look after your GP lenses after each using duration:

1. Completely wash and dry your hands.
2. Start with your right lens. Remove it and put it in the palm of your hand.
3. Apply a few drops of cleaning up solution (or multi-purpose solution, if that’s what you’re using). Carefully rub the lens using a back-and-forth movement.
4. Rinse the lens. Gently rub the lens with your forefinger, then wash once again.
5. Store the lens in a clean case filled with fresh storage solution.
6. Repeat this process for your left lens.

In some cases, your eye care specialist might likewise advise adding an enzymatic cleaner to your regular lens care regimen to help get rid of protein deposits. When suggested, enzyme cleaning typically is performed weekly.

You likewise might choose to use a rewetting solution as you use your lenses. These options serve as a lube to increase the comfort of your GP lenses.

How To Clean Your Contact Lens Case

It’s also essential to clean, rinse and air-dry your contact lens case immediately after removing your lenses from the case. Dispose out the old solution and rub the within the case for at least five seconds with clean fingers. Then quickly fill it with fresh multipurpose solution or sterilized saline (not water), discard this liquid, and store the empty case upside down with the caps off.

Since lens storage cases can easily end up being polluted with bacteria and other organisms, most optometrist advise that you replace your GP contact lens case month-to-month or, at a minimum, every three months.

Numerous care solutions developed for soft lenses can not be used on GP lenses. Do not switch options or use an item that was not advised by your eye care specialist.

Using generic or store brand names, for instance, can be a problem. These solutions might be inappropriate for your particular GP lens material and may cause eye soreness, burning and perhaps an eye infection.

Taking correct care of your GP contact lenses will increase the convenience and lifetime of your lenses, decrease the risk of eye health problems and keep your lens-wearing experience enjoyable and stress-free.