Help, Can I Use Homemade-Contact Solution?

A surprising number of people do not clean their contacts properly. In truth, 40-90% of people do not. It's sometimes because they've run out of contact solutions.

Has this occurred to you as well? When you try to clean your contacts, you see the solution container is empty. Perhaps you rushed out the door for an overnight excursion and neglected to pack the solution. Whatever the case may be, you require a replacement immediately. 

In this blog, we'll look at why contact solution is essential and what to do if you run out. Learn why using a homemade contact lens solution may do more damage than benefit.

Why Is Contact Solution Important?

Contact solutions are used to clean and preserve your contact lenses. Proteins from your eyes can accumulate on your lenses. If you don’t practice proper lens care, this might lead to dangerous infections.

Contact solutions are the commercial production of Chemicals and preservatives. This not only cleans but also disinfects the lenses and safely eliminates protein build-up. The components of various brands and types differ. However, among of the most common include boric acid, detergents, and other substances that keep the contacts wet and cleaned. 

There are several kinds of contact solutions. Some, for example, are for those with sensitive eyes. Others do not contain specific chemicals or preservatives. A multipurpose solution may handle all of the rinsings, cleaning, and disinfecting tasks. So there is no longer any requirement for a saline solution.

Is Contact Solution the same as Saline Solution?

Saline solution is made out of pH-balanced saltwater. Its function is to rinse your contacts. You use it after washing and sanitizing your contacts and before putting them in.

Saline solution, on the other hand, is NOT the same as contact solution. It does not include any cleaning or disinfecting agents. It should not be used in place of your regular lens solution. Soaking contacts in a saline solution overnight is risky because contamination might occur.

Homemade-Solution: Is that okay?

It's fairly simple to discover a DIY contact solution on Google or anywhere else on the Internet that contains DIY recipes. However, utilizing those has significant hazards. Making a DIY solution sounds simple and perhaps cost-effective. However, eye care doctors do not advocate it.

To ensure that the DIY remedy works effectively, all items utilized must be entirely sterile. This is very necessary and impossible to accomplish at home. Using a sterile contact solution means that your contacts are free of any effect of pollutants.

If you leave your contact solution at home and are unable to obtain more at the last minute, the best thing to do is discard the contacts. Using anything else puts your eyes in danger of serious injury. Blindness is one example.

Water is also prohibited.

Although it may seem tempting, do not use tap water to clean your contacts. Professionals also advise against saving your contacts in this manner. Bacteria and microorganisms can be found in tap water. Once in your eyes, they can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare condition.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a severe corneal infection. It's excruciatingly painful and may demand a corneal transplant. Blindness is possible in the worst-case situation.

Some sites may advise you to boil distilled water before keeping contact in with it. This is also not advised because there is no way of knowing for certain if you have destroyed all of the organisms in the water. Even one night of storing your contacts in distilled water is harmful.

Never put your contact lenses in your mouth.

Wetting your contact lenses in your mouth is the cardinal sin of contact lens use. Imagine what is in your mouth now that you know water includes bacteria that are harmful to your eyes! Although the bacteria in your saliva are not harmful to your mouth, it has the potential to cause an eye infection.

That is why physicians recommend that you never put your contacts in your mouth. If your contacts upset you, remove them until you have the proper washing solution. It is preferable to discard a pair of contacts than to get a saliva infection.

Different Contact Lens Solutions

Only the correct contact lens solution can clean and disinfect contact lenses. There are two different kinds of solutions:

• hydrogen peroxide, as well as
• multifunctional.

Solutions of hydrogen peroxide are ideal for rubbing, washing, and storing. However, because hydrogen peroxide causes your eyes to burn and sting, this sort of solution must be neutralized.

Many people use hydrogen peroxide treatments because of allergies. If you are allergic or sensitive to contact lens solutions, this might be the solution. Many individuals, however, reject this sort of solution since it takes more time and effort.

The versatile solution is a one-stop shop. Contact users utilize this solution for a variety of purposes, including:

• Cleaning
• Rinsing
• Disinfecting
• Storing

It does not require any neutralization since it does not irritate the eyes, making it the most preferred solution among contact lens wearers. Doctors frequently prefer this sort of solution since it is easier to follow than the hydrogen peroxide approach.

The procedure is straightforward:

• Wash hands completely.
• Remove one contact lens.
• Fill your palm with a multipurpose solution.
• Immerse the lens in the solution.
• Rub the lens thoroughly with the tip of your finger.
• Place the lens in a clean case with a multipurpose solution.
• Repeat with the opposite lens.
• Soak both overnight.
• Remember that multipurpose solution cleans your contact case as well.

The Only Option Is Contact Solution

Contact solution is intended to keep your contacts clean. Using anything else than that puts your eyes at risk.

Find yourself in a situation where you need to remove your contacts for a short period of time but have no alternative. There are steps you can do to maintain them clean and pathogen-free: 

• When traveling, always keep a travel-sized bottle of contact solution and saline solution on hand. You'll always have the means to rinse or clean your contacts this way.
• Bringing a spare case with the solution is also a good idea.
• Wearing contacts for an extended period of time? Eye drops can keep your eyes healthy and hydrated.
• Remember, never rinse your contacts with water. Never, ever!