You must soak new contact lenses before wearing them for the first time. The liquid inside the blister pack is a sterile saline solution, designed only to keep the lens hydrated during storage, not to clean or disinfect it. Applying the lens directly from the pack may lead to significant discomfort. A thorough cleaning and soaking process is required, particularly for bi-weekly, monthly, or extended-wear lenses.
Why New Contacts Must Be Cleaned and Disinfected
The solution in the new contact lens packaging is a sterile storage medium, often containing preservatives that are too strong for direct contact with the eye. These chemicals can cause irritation, stinging, or burning sensations when placed directly onto the corneal surface. The primary purpose of the initial soak is to effectively neutralize and rinse away these residual packaging agents before the lens touches your eye.
New lenses require a full disinfection cycle because they may have picked up microscopic contaminants during manufacturing or packaging. The lens needs to be thoroughly cleaned with a dedicated care product, even if the packaging is sealed. This process ensures the lens material is properly hydrated and free from any particles that could compromise eye health or comfort.
Choosing the Correct Contact Lens Solution
Selecting the right product for the first soak involves understanding the different types of available contact lens care systems. The most common choice is a multipurpose solution, which is an all-in-one product designed to clean, rinse, disinfect, and store soft contact lenses. Multipurpose solutions use chemical agents to kill microorganisms and remove debris from the lens surface.
Another effective option is a hydrogen peroxide-based system, which provides deep cleaning and disinfection. These systems are recommended for individuals sensitive to chemical preservatives in multipurpose solutions. They require a special case containing a neutralizing disk to convert the peroxide into a harmless saline solution after a set period, four to six hours. Standard sterile saline solution is used only for rinsing and cannot disinfect, clean, or store lenses. Never use tap water, distilled water, or homemade saline solutions, as these contain impurities and microorganisms that can lead to severe eye infections.
Step-by-Step Guide to First-Time Soaking
The process begins with meticulous hand hygiene: wash your hands with soap and water and dry them completely with a lint-free towel. Next, prepare a clean, dedicated contact lens case, ensuring it is filled only with fresh, unused multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide solution. Never reuse or “top off” old solution, as this reduces its disinfecting power.
Carefully open the new blister pack and gently remove the contact lens. Place the lens in the palm of your clean hand and apply a few drops of your chosen multipurpose solution. Rub the lens surface gently with your finger for about 20 seconds, even if the solution is labeled “no-rub,” as this physical action helps remove deposits and micro-organisms.
Rinse the lens thoroughly with a steady stream of the fresh solution for the time specified by the manufacturer, typically around 10 seconds. Place the clean lens into the appropriate well of the contact lens case, ensuring it is completely submerged. Repeat the entire process for the second lens, keeping the left and right lenses in their respective sides of the case.
The lens must soak for the full disinfection cycle, usually a minimum of four to six hours, or ideally overnight, before it is safe to wear. After the required soaking time, the lens is ready for comfortable insertion onto the eye. Remember to clean the case after each use by rinsing it with fresh solution, wiping it dry with a clean tissue, and storing it open and upside down.
Consequences of Skipping the Initial Disinfection
Wearing a new lens directly from the packaging significantly increases the risk of immediate eye irritation and long-term complications. The residual preservatives and chemicals in the packaging solution are not formulated for direct eye contact and can cause burning, stinging, or redness upon insertion.
More concerning is the increased potential for serious eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which is an inflammation of the cornea. By bypassing the disinfection step, you fail to kill any potential microorganisms or contaminants that may have settled on the lens surface during handling and packaging. Proper initial soaking is a required safety measure to protect the delicate surface of your eye.