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Contact
Lenses - Care
 All contact
lenses - whether daily or extended-wear - provide a place where
bacteria, dirt and eye secretions can collect. Good contact lens care
involves regular and thorough cleaning, disinfecting, neutralizing and
rinsing, using a system specific to the type of lenses worn.
The basic
steps in contact lenses care involve:
-
a cleaning
solution to remove dirt, pollen and chemicals;
-
a rinsing
solution to remove the cleaning solution;
-
a disinfecting
solution to destroy microorganisms on the lenses;
-
a rinsing
solution to remove the disinfecting agents. This step is sometimes combined
with; a neutralizing solution to stop the disinfections process; and
an enzyme solution used once a week to remove stubborn protein and lipids.
 As any contact
lens user knows, there are a wide variety of contact lens cleaning systems
on the market, each with their own sequence of solutions and steps. Changing
cleaning systems can lead to confusion and incomplete cleaning procedures.
The cleaning system recommended by the eye care specialist who dispensed
the lenses should be followed, and substitute solutions used only on a
specialist's recommendation.
Tips
for cleaning lenses:
Solutions should
never be used after the expiry date.
No using home made solutions.
Shortcuts in cleaning routines are not recommended.
Thorough rinsing is very important.
Contact lens containers should be cleaned.
Lens should be handled with freshly washed hands.
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