Monthly contact lenses are a cost-effective and convenient vision correction option, designed to be worn for thirty days before replacement. Unlike daily disposable lenses that are discarded after a single use, monthly lenses require diligent care and storage to remain safe and effective throughout their prescribed lifespan. Improper storage can turn the lens surface into a breeding ground for microorganisms, leading to potentially serious eye infections like keratitis or simple irritation and discomfort. Maintaining a strict storage routine is necessary for disinfecting the lenses, hydrating the material, and ensuring healthy eyes.
Essential Supplies: Choosing the Right Case and Solution
The two primary components of a proper storage regimen are the contact lens case and the disinfecting solution. Contact lens cases should feature screw-on caps, which offer a more secure, leak-proof seal compared to flip-top versions. The case must feature two separate wells to prevent cross-contamination and to allow for correct identification of the left and right lenses.
The choice of solution is equally important, with Multipurpose Solution (MPS) being the most common option for soft monthly lenses. MPS is a complex formula engineered to clean, rinse, disinfect, and store lenses. It contains active ingredients like preservatives and surfactants to remove debris and kill germs. Simple saline solution is not a disinfecting agent; it is merely a sterile saltwater rinse and should never be used for overnight storage as it lacks the necessary germ-killing properties. Always use a fresh, unexpired MPS specifically recommended for your lens type to ensure effective disinfection.
Step-by-Step Daily Storage Protocol
The daily storage protocol must begin immediately upon lens removal to ensure deposits are cleaned off before they set onto the lens material. After washing your hands thoroughly, remove one lens and place it in the palm of your hand. Add a few drops of fresh multipurpose solution and gently rub the lens surface with the pad of your finger for the time specified by the solution manufacturer.
This “rub and rinse” step is important for physically dislodging protein and lipid deposits before the lens is submerged in the solution for chemical disinfection. Next, fill the corresponding well of your clean lens case with fresh solution up to the fill line, ensuring the lens will be completely covered. Place the cleaned lens into the well and repeat the process for the second lens.
Securely seal the case, making sure the caps are tightly screwed on to prevent leaks and maintain a sterile environment for the recommended soaking time, which is usually at least six to eight hours. It is necessary to use fresh solution every single time and never “top off” the old solution, as this significantly reduces the disinfecting power and concentrates pathogens.
Non-Negotiable Rules for Lens and Case Hygiene
Safe contact lens wear requires thorough hand washing with soap and water before handling your lenses. This prevents the transfer of microorganisms, oils, and residues from your hands to the lens surface. Avoid using tap water, which contains microorganisms like Acanthamoeba that can cause severe infections, for either rinsing your lenses or cleaning the case.
The lens case itself requires daily maintenance. After inserting your lenses, empty the used solution and rub the case wells with fresh solution. Rinse the case with solution and allow it to air dry face down on a clean tissue with the caps off to prevent germ build-up. Even with proper daily cleaning, the case can develop an invisible layer of biofilm, so eye care professionals recommend replacing the contact lens case every one to three months.