How to Store Contacts Overnight
When it comes to storing your contact lenses overnight, there are strict rules to follow. With a wide variety of contact lens solutions and cleaners out there, it is important to know the purpose of each. There are right and wrong ways to store your contacts. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for which solutions to use and carefully read the packaging labels before using them.
Multipurpose Solution
This versatile, all-in-one solution is used by most contact lens wearers because you can clean, rinse, disinfect, and store your lenses with it. Contact lens cases can also be cleaned with multipurpose solution. Simply rub and rinse an empty contact lens case with the solution and then place it with the caps off on a clean tissue to dry.
Steps for Storing with Multipurpose Solution
- Remove one contact lens at a time and rub it in the palm of your hand with the solution.
- Place the first contact lens in the case and repeat the process with the second lens.
- Fill your case with fresh multipurpose solution to store the lenses overnight.
- In the morning, rinse lenses with the solution and insert.
Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Systems
This cleaning system provides a deeper clean and works better with sensitive eyes. It can be used to clean, disinfect, and store your lenses. Do not use a regular contact lens case with hydrogen peroxide-based solution. They require a special container, which is included in the kit, to neutralize the solution over a period of six to eight hours. Never use hydrogen peroxide-based systems for rinsing your contacts or put directly into your eyes as it will burn.
Steps for Storing with Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Systems
- Remove your contacts and place them in the special case that comes with the kit.
- Rinse each lens with the solution for 5 seconds while it’s in the case.
- Fill the neutralizing case with fresh solution.
- Wait at least 6 hours before taking your lenses out of the case.
Daily Cleaner & Conditioning Solution System
This system is specifically for rigid gas permeable (RGP) or hard contacts. The daily cleaner step loosens and removes debris from your contacts and readies the lenses for disinfection. The conditioning solution then disinfects and conditions the contact lenses so that they can be worn or stored overnight. Remember that many different solutions can be used for RGP or hard contacts. You should talk to your eye doctor about which lens care products to use on these contacts.
Steps for Storing with Daily Cleaner & Conditioning Solution Systems
- Remove one contact lens at a time and rub both sides of the lens with 2 to 4 drops of cleaner in the palm of your hand for 20 seconds.
- Rinse the cleaner off with saline solution. Repeat with the second lens.
- Place the lenses in the contact lens case and fill it with the conditioning solution.
- Soak the lenses for at least 4 hours.
How Not to Store Contacts
- Water: Water should never touch your contacts. It is full of bacteria and microorganisms that can cause eye infections and will not disinfect the lenses.
- Saline Solution: This is not meant for cleaning, disinfecting, or storing your lenses. Saline solutions can be used to rinse your lenses before inserting them into your eye.
- Eye Drops: No type of eye drops are designed to clean and disinfect contact lenses. Rewetting drops are the only acceptable eye drop that can be directly applied to the contact lens.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for which solutions to use with the contact lenses they’ve prescribed you. There is no safe substitute for contact solution. If you don’t have access to the correct solution for your lenses, dispose of them. Wear glasses until you are able to store and clean them properly. If you’re consistently unable to properly store your lenses overnight, consider talking to your doctor about switching to daily disposable contact lenses.