Possible complications from contact lenses. Lens tablets - effective removal of protein deposits

Various kinds sediments, found on contact lenses These are mainly proteins and lipids that are formed naturally in the eyes themselves and, when interacting with lenses, settle on them. Lipid deposits can cause lenses to appear greasy, and protein deposits can cause lenses to appear cloudy. Dirt, dust, oils, makeup and smoke are all possible causes of deposits on lenses.

Eye health

Cleaning, disinfecting and removing protein deposits are a vital part of contact lens care. Never replace one procedure with another. Follow your doctor's recommendations and you will enjoy good vision. And the health of your eyes with contact lenses will always be normal.

Why are deposits on lenses harmful?

These deposits can change the fit (decentration) of the lenses and impair their adhesion to the corneal surface, degrade the quality of the edges and surfaces of the lenses, reduce the permeability of oxygen to the eye and lead to uncontrolled tearing. All this leads to burning, irritation, redness and deterioration in the quality of vision.

Features of the appearance of deposits

The use of lens cleaners to remove protein deposits is recommended for soft contact lenses, but they can also be used for hard lenses. As they are worn for longer periods of time, they will naturally accumulate more deposits and therefore require more effort to clean.

How to prevent the problem

Proper daily use, as well as the use of a special enzymatic solution for lenses, should help remove all protein deposits on them and prevent their appearance. Wearing disposable lenses will also help solve this problem without having to clean your lenses every day.

What to do if deposits appear?

Regular cleaning will not help get rid of protein deposits, so you should use a special solution to remove protein deposits. It should be used once a week or as recommended by your doctor. It is important to note that protein cleansers are not intended to disinfect or remove dirt and oil from lenses. And their use requires a special approach.

No matter how high-quality and expensive they are, the risk of complications during their use cannot be ruled out. The main cause of unpleasant consequences is the patient’s failure to comply with the rules for using an ophthalmic product: improper storage, ignoring aseptic conditions, incorrectly selected or poor-quality solutions. In more rare cases, a complication from wearing lenses can be caused by a doctor’s mistake - incorrect selection of a corrective product. Next, we will consider the most common problems when using lenses.

Swelling of the cornea

This is the most common complication. Develops due to lack of oxygen to tissues. This reaction occurs when wearing low-quality lenses or falling asleep in them. You need to consult with an ophthalmologist about replacing them, and also avoid sleeping in the lenses.

Protein type deposits

More often, such deposits accumulate on soft lenses and, unfortunately, this phenomenon cannot be avoided. However, deposits on lenses are the most harmless complications that do not lead to serious problems.

When protein and other deposits (lipid or calcium) accumulate, you may notice clouding of the lens surface. Deposits lead to the formation of various roughnesses that can only be seen under a microscope.

If measures are not taken to eliminate this phenomenon, deposits can cause the development of an allergic reaction, dry eyes, and conjunctiva. In addition, the technical characteristics of the lenses deteriorate significantly; simply, the patient sees worse in them.

Macropallar conjunctivitis

This complication most often develops as a toxic-allergic reaction to the use of lenses. During the examination, you can detect a tubercle on the mucous membrane of the eye.

The complication is accompanied by increased redness and itching. The patient complains of a feeling of a foreign object in the eye.

Sterile ulcers. Pathogenic microorganisms are not involved in the development process, so antibacterial therapy is not required. You will need to give up lenses for a while. Your doctor may recommend a short, prophylactic course of antibacterial eye drops.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common inflammatory eye disease. It is usually not dangerous and can be quickly neutralized with proper treatment. The conjunctiva is a layer of tissue that is located at the base and extends to the (white part of the eye). It protects the eyes from damage and penetration of infectious microorganisms.

Sometimes an allergic reaction may occur due to unsuitable lens material. A reaction manifests itself as classic allergic conjunctivitis: redness, burning, sensation in the eyes.

When a doctor diagnoses this type of complication, treatment consists of stopping the use of lenses. To eliminate signs of the disease, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of eye drops.

One of the reasons why people stop wearing contact lenses over time is the appearance of various deposits on the contact lens.

One of the reasons why people, over time, is the appearance of various deposits, which can cause a feeling of discomfort or lead to serious complications, such as, for example, papillary conjunctivitis. Much experience has been accumulated in the field of prevention and control of deposits, and its application helps to reduce the number of refusals to wear. In this article we publish a detailed classification of deposits, as well as methods for their prevention and elimination. The presence of a contact lens on the eye creates a situation in which the synthetic material is in a natural environment. One of the main tasks of biomedicine in this case is to achieve the required level of biocompatibility.

In the field of contact lenses, correct lens design has now been developed, and as a result of the development of new technologies, materials with good biocompatibility are emerging. Poor biocompatibility causes the formation of deposits on the object or a painful reaction of tissues in contact with it; in the case of contact lenses, this may be papillary conjunctivitis. The formation of deposits on contact lenses leads to deterioration of visual perception, a feeling of discomfort, inflammation, and a reduction in the period of wearing contact lenses. A synthetic object can be considered ideally biocompatible when it and the surrounding tissues and fluids do not have a hostile and significant effect on each other. However, so far such an ideal can be achieved only in rare cases.

The presence of a contact lens on the eye is a unique situation compared to the presence of a foreign object in other parts of the body. In this case, we have a synthetic object immersed in tear fluid and at the same time in contact with air. The process of blinking occurs differently in different people, the same can be said about the composition of the tear fluid - the set of its components can vary widely. Although the eyelid is lubricated by tear fluid, it still exerts a force on substances absorbed by the front surface of the contact lens. In the modern world, the tear production system in humans is not always optimally configured; Tear fluid can be affected by factors such as air conditions, computer work, diets, and the use of various medications. Usually this effect is negative, so that a certain percentage of the population has dry eye syndrome to one degree or another.

Contact lens deposits are a type of biological boundary process. Some features of deposits are similar to similar features of processes such as blood clotting and the formation of tartar.

Surface deposits in the form of a film

Protein film deposits typically result from the adsorption and/or absorption of proteins such as albumin, lysozyme and lactoferrin. It is very important to remember that when proteins are absorbed into the molecular structure of the contact lens, the more proteins accumulate, the less moisture remains in the contact lens. In addition to other factors that reduce the moisture content of a contact lens, such as temperature, dehydration, and pH, the contact lens loses moisture due to the absorption of proteins. Obviously, the degree of absorption will depend on the size of the protein molecules and the pore size of the contact lens matrix. Immediately after placing the contact lens in the eye, proteins begin to be absorbed very quickly (this is not a process that occurs after a week or month). Typically, proteins are attracted to ionic contact lenses - positively charged amino acids are attracted to the negatively charged surface of the contact lens. Protein absorption is a one-way process, and over time the situation only gets worse. The main proteins that make up deposits are albumin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins. The presence of proteins on the surface of a contact lens can lead to an immune reaction from the palpebral conjunctiva (eyelid conjunctiva). Antibodies are released, as a result of which the papilla (papillae) enlarges, papillary conjunctivitis occurs.

Superficial deposits in the form of fatty films usually appear "greasy" as is to be expected from the accumulation of fats and oils. A characteristic sign is a fingerprint (or something similar to it) remaining on the surface of the contact lenses after touching it. Fats come from several sources. External sources can be the face and hands; they contain oily substances. Sometimes the meibomian glands can produce distorted secretions, so they should be checked for infection or inflammation. It is possible that a person has dry eye syndrome or blinks not completely or not often enough. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives and diuretics, can also affect the presence of fats in tears. Fats are attracted to non-ionic lenses. Can attract fats and silicone components of contact lenses. Sometimes, grease deposits can appear on contact lenses when using furniture polish aerosols that contain silicones.

Bacterial contamination of contact lenses is very dangerous, because if the antimicrobial activity of tears is lower than normal, then infection may occur. Bacterial and mineral (inorganic salts) deposits in the form of films are not easy to recognize, and they are less common than protein and fat films. Suffice it to say that accumulations of bacteria (or other microbes) may be located in a nutrient film, which itself promotes their reproduction. Bacteria can also accumulate near discrete raised deposits or in pits and scratches on the contact lens. As a result, cleaning and disinfection do not sufficiently eliminate them. Toxins released by bacteria can cause hostile reactions in the cornea. Since bacteria are always present in the eye, natural processes are quite effective at preventing their proliferation. In the new ionic contact lenses, the negatively charged hydroxyl group repels negatively charged bacteria. However, the surface of contact lenses cannot remain in a “virgin” state forever, and the resulting “biofilms” can attract bacteria. Their reproduction accelerates when the bacterium attaches to the surface of the contact lens. Highly acidic environments also promote bacterial growth. Therefore, an increase in the content of lactic acid and carbon dioxide in the tear fluid leads to a decrease in pH and can affect bacterial adhesion.

New materials that reduce hypoxia and hypercapnia should be safer in this regard. This is especially important in the case of soft contact lenses, when tear exchange behind the lens is difficult. Any material that reduces bacterial adhesion will help reduce the likelihood of adverse eye reactions. Materials that both reduce bacterial adhesion and resist bacteria are a big step forward in the search for extended wear contact lens materials, and can also be used in daily wear contact lenses.

We should not forget about the existence of microbes such as protozoa, as well as viruses and fungi. Fungi can grow into the contact lens matrix and cause polymer degradation, and can also be a source of fungal infection on damaged epithelium. Inorganic (mineral) deposits in the form of films are similar in appearance to protein films and consist of insoluble components, such as calcium phosphate, etc., which have not taken a crystalline form. They can affect the surface and parameters of the contact lens.

Deposits in the form of individual (discrete) spots

The morphology and composition of such deposits are as follows:
1. Base adjacent to the polymer of the contact lens; consists of unsaturated fatty acids and calcium, which serves as a stabilizer.
2. The middle layer, which occupies most of the sediment, is like a dome; consists of cholesterol, cholesteryl esters and mucins.
3. Third layer, transparent; consists of proteins.

The etiology of the process may be different. Sometimes the cause is the individual chemical composition of tears, dry eye syndrome, low pH levels, poor cleaning of contact lenses, or the polymer from which the lens is made.

Large complex spots are called jelly bumps and their sizes range from 200 to 800 micrometers. Such deposits are extremely difficult to remove, especially when they grow into the matrix and are not just located on the surface of the contact lens. They can be removed by using intense oxidative and enzymatic cleaners, but once the contact lens is worn again, deposits will form in the same areas.

These deposits can cause a variety of symptoms. Possible weakening of vision, mechanical irritation of the palpebral conjunctiva (with accompanying follicular and papillary conjunctivitis), very rarely - minor injuries to the epithelium (if the deposit occurs on the back of the contact lens).

Plaques and deposits that give a geographical pattern

Organic plaques in the form of plaques in many cases consist of several layers. Often their inner layer is formed by unsaturated fatty acids (tear fats), the middle layer consists of mucin, and the outer layer is protein.

Inorganic deposits are white in color and have clearly visible boundaries. The form can be regular or irregular. These deposits are visible even to the naked eye; they are believed to consist of calcium, but in a much more intense content than in films. Crystalline deposits may be covered with a translucent film. Calcium, phosphate and carbonate ions accumulate on the surface of the lens and become insoluble, resulting in the formation of crystalline deposits, sometimes taking the form of granules.

Particles

The most common form of such deposits is the so-called rust stains that occur on soft contact lenses. The typical color is orange-brown. Usually one or two spots appear, the occurrence of more of them is associated, in particular, with certain working conditions of the contact lens wearer - for example, if he works at a lathe and his eyes are not properly protected. Iron particles usually enter the eye from the air, and in some cases they are accidentally brought in by hand. If the particle is small and dented into the contact lens, then the eye usually does not react to its presence; if its size is large and it rises above the surface of the contact lens, then a feeling of discomfort may occur. Over time, the particle may fly off the surface of the contact lens, but the rust stain will remain.

Color change

Disinfectant solutions today are largely free of traditional preservatives such as thimerosal and chlorhexidine, so discoloration of contact lenses occurs less frequently than in the past. In most cases, the stain covers the entire contact lens and is distributed evenly over it, only in rare cases the color is uneven.

Brown and tan spots are usually caused by the presence of melanin and tyrosine. Nicotine can promote the appearance of melanin-like substances and also have a direct effect through cigarette smoke. Adrenaline and vasoconstrictors can also cause this coloration.

Thimerosal preservatives contain mercury, which can cause the contact lens to turn gray to light gray to dark gray. Chlorhexidine can cause contact lenses to appear yellow-green or gray-green in color, which fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Discoloration of a contact lens can be caused by medications. For example, epinephrine, when oxidized, can form melanin pigments, which have a dark brown color.

Mixed deposits

We previously discussed individual types of sediment. However, it should be noted that not all cases will result in specific deposits appearing on the contact lens. Thus, mixed fat and protein deposits may occur, and it is quite difficult to determine whether this is a specific deposit or a mixed one.

Removal of deposits

Fortunately, the symptoms that occur in a person help to understand that deposits have appeared on the contact lens. People may complain of a reduction in the time they wear contact lenses, deterioration of visual perception, and a feeling of discomfort. Deposits located either on or inside the lens can reduce oxygen permeability, which leads to an exacerbation of possible hypoxia. Large deposits sometimes lead to redness of the eye - due to mechanical irritation and/or an inflammatory reaction.

Cleaning the surface of a contact lens using surfactants is mandatory for lenses that are not daily wear contact lenses. If the contact lens is to be reused, it must be cleaned and disinfected. Some users skip the cleaning procedure, especially often people who use care systems that use hydrogen peroxide.

Cleaning a contact lens with your fingers using a surfactant cleaner is designed to remove loosely attached deposits such as mucin, bacteria, waste products and other substances such as undenatured proteins from the surface of the contact lens. The resulting simultaneous removal of a large number of microbes contributes to more effective disinfection. Wiping your contact lens with a cleaner that contains surfactants and thoroughly rinsing afterwards plays a huge role in contact lens hygiene. Some cleaners are alcohol based, so they are more successful at dissolving organic materials. Enzymes have been used for many years, and there are cleaners that claim to remove proteins and fats. However, not all types of proteins and fats are affected in the same way. We also note that deposits such as jelly-like bubbles are rare nowadays, thanks to the popularity of contact lenses with frequent scheduled replacement.

If you can determine the type of deposit, you should choose contact lenses made of a different material. For example, if the deposit is proteinaceous and the contact lens is made of an ionic material, then you should try a lens made of a non-ionic material. Conversely, if the deposit is fatty, then perhaps the best option would be to replace the non-ionic material with an ionic one. If the contact lens has changed color, then this problem can be solved in several ways - for example, by placing the contact lens in a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution for several hours. If protein is involved in the coloring, removing it may weaken the color. In some cases, nothing helps at all, all that remains is to replace contact lenses and prescribe a care system that does not use traditional preservatives.

It is, of course, impossible to completely reduce the likelihood of deposits, but following the tips above will help reduce the number of failures to wear contact lenses caused by deposits.

Prepared by Vadim Davydov based on the article “Surface of a contact lens: properties and interactions” (Optometry Today. 1999. July 30); the online version of the article is available at www.optometry.co.uk; Illustrations from press releases of the Ciba Vision company were used in the design; Eyelid #8(52)

Today, the most common reason for refusing to use contact correction products is the appearance of various deposits on them that cause discomfort. In addition, they cause infectious and inflammatory diseases, for example, papillary conjunctivitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.

In this article we will talk in detail about methods for preventing and combating these deposits. We are confident that following the recommendations below will make the process of wearing lenses much more comfortable!

What it is?

Contact lens deposits are the result of a biological process that occurs on the surface of the lenses during prolonged use. The appearance of deposits is quite dangerous, as it can lead first to a deterioration in visibility, then to a significant deterioration in vision or infectious inflammation, due to the increased possibility of infection of the cornea by microorganisms. Deposits not only significantly reduce visibility, but also impede the passage of oxygen. They also have a mechanical effect on the ocular tissues, leading to corneal erosion (a scratch on its surface) or abrasion (partial removal of the epithelium). This is why it is very important to pay careful attention to the care of your contact lenses.

Deposits on lenses - what are they?

Today, experts identify several types of formations on the inner surface of lenses:

Surface films. This category, in turn, is divided by specialists into:
- protein films: they usually arise as a result of absorption (absorption) of proteins - albumin, lactoferin, lysocium. The more proteins accumulate, the less hydrophilicity (the ability to transmit moisture) becomes.
- fungal - these are colonies of fungi, including yeast-like ones. This species is quite rare and manifests itself mainly in the form of mycoses - fungal diseases.
- fatty acids: are unsaturated fatty acids, the accumulation of which can lead to dry vision.
- bacterial and mineral - microorganisms and inorganic salts. They appear quite rarely, which makes them difficult to recognize.

Discrete (individual) spots. They contain unsaturated fatty acids and calcium. Consist of three layers. The base is adjacent to the surface of the lens. Most of it is the middle layer, shaped like a dome, which includes cholesterol. The third layer is transparent, consisting of proteins.

“Geographical” patterns or plaque-like plaques. They also consist of several layers. The inner one is formed from unsaturated fatty acids, the second one consists of mucin - protein. They are white in color and their boundaries are clearly visible.

"Rust spots." They resemble a trace left by an iron particle. “Rust spots” are actually caused by increased levels of melanin (a naturally occurring dark pigment found in skin, hair, iris, and tissue) and tyrosine (an aromatic alpha amino acid). They are often formed when tobacco smoke gets into the eyes and when nicotine affects the body as a whole. In addition, the cause of spots of this color can be the use of medications, for example, vasoconstrictor drops that increase the tone of blood vessels, or the neurotransmitter adrenaline.

Of course, not in all situations one specific type of deposit appears. Very often they are of a mixed type, that is, they are present, for example, lipid and fat at the same time.

How to deal with them?

Thanks to a detailed description of the symptoms that patients complain about, ophthalmologists can understand that deposits have appeared on the lenses. Most often, complaints are received about a reduction in the time of using contact correction means, a decrease in visual perception, and a feeling of discomfort. If the accumulations are large, they often lead to redness of the eye. To avoid such a situation, contactologists recommend their patients to follow the following rules:

Regularly clean optical products using special multifunctional and

When it has been possible to identify a type of complication, you can choose correction tools made from a different material - one that is less susceptible to this type of deposit. For example, if the accumulations are protein, and the lens is ionic, then it is recommended to switch to a non-ionic material.

It is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of deposits occurring, but it is worth trying to reduce this process to a minimum. Follow the tips above, and most importantly - recommendations of your attending ophthalmologist, whom you should contact at the first sign of discomfort. The final decision on prescribing a particular drug can only be made by a qualified specialist after carrying out all the necessary procedures. Take care of your eyesight!

Contact optics for vision correction is a modern approach to the age-old problem of age-related or genetic deterioration of vision. Not only the effectiveness of vision correction, but also the health of your eyes depends on how well you care for your contact lenses.

Read this article on how to properly care for contact lenses.

What you need to know about lenses

Contact lenses are a modern means of vision correction. With their help, the main refractive errors - myopia (myopia), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and astigmatism - are effectively corrected. Externally, contact lenses are a transparent thin film, the back surface of which completely follows the shape of the cornea, and the front surface corrects vision.

The modern ophthalmological market offers a huge variety of contact lenses. First of all, contact lenses are classified into two large groups:

hard;
soft.

Soft contact lenses are the most common option for contact vision correction among consumers. They consist of 35-80% water, which gives them flexibility, softness and high oxygen permeability. There are no blood vessels in the cornea of the eye, and it receives oxygen directly from the air. Therefore, the contact lens material must allow sufficient oxygen to pass through to the cornea.

The higher the oxygen permeability of soft lenses, the better for eye health.

Depending on the material and manufacturing technology of contact lenses, their wearing mode, service life, as well as rules for caring for them may vary. Soft contact lenses are typically made from two types of materials:

Hydrogel. This is a polymer material that is soft when in contact with water and has good wettability. These material properties provide comfort while wearing and eliminate the feeling of a foreign body in the eye. Lenses made from hydrogel can have low or high hydration capacity (water content). Hydrogel lenses with low water content (38-45%) have low oxygen permeability, so they should not be worn for more than 12-14 hours. The disadvantages of hydrogel lenses are low strength and susceptibility to germination by microorganisms.
Silicone hydrogel. This is an innovative material that began to be used for the manufacture of contact lenses relatively recently. Some silicone content in these contact lenses makes them harder and more durable. In addition, the silicone hydrogel material is more oxygen permeable and does not dry out while wearing.

To give the desired shade to the eyes, special colored contact lenses are used. They are especially popular among young people. You can also correct your vision with tinted contact lenses.

Specifics of wearing mode

Soft contact lenses have different periods and modes of wearing, which are usually indicated on the product packaging. These rules established by the manufacturer must be strictly adhered to. Ophthalmologists do not recommend exceeding the period of wearing contact lenses, as this is fraught with dangerous complications, which in advanced cases can lead to deterioration of eye health and even rapid loss of vision.

Soft contact lenses are divided into three groups according to wear time:

Traditional contact lenses. These are the earliest soft contact lenses and appeared before other types. Their wearing period is about 0.5 - 1 year. The cost of these lenses is low, but they require careful care. In modern times, the popularity of traditional contact lenses is rapidly declining.
Scheduled replacement contact lenses. These contact lenses are more in demand in the market than their traditional counterparts due to their countless benefits. The period of wearing planned replacement lenses can be different - 2 weeks, a month, a quarter. These lenses are made from various materials and may have different water content and oxygen permeability. When purchasing these lenses, you need to pay special attention to these indicators.
Daily contact lenses. The most expensive, but safest type of soft contact lenses. Ideal for those who do not want to constantly care for their lenses. However, not everyone can afford this. Daily contact lenses are very convenient for trips, business trips, and traveling, since you do not need to take a container and care products with you. After removal, these lenses are disposed of and new ones are put on the next day.

Contact lenses made from hydrogel can be safely worn for about 8-12 hours. In no case should you wear them for more than 15 hours, much less sleep in them, since in this case there is a high risk of developing corneal hypoxia.

Silicone hydrogel lenses can be worn even while sleeping if they have a high oxygen permeability rate. Today, on the contact vision correction market, you can purchase extended-wear lenses that can be left in place for 6, 14, or even 30 days.

Proper care of contact lenses will not only allow you to maintain eye health and comfort while wearing, but will also extend the life of the product. If you do not want your lenses to deteriorate ahead of schedule, you need to care for them correctly. Typically, care is required for traditional lenses and routine replacement lenses. Daily lenses require no maintenance.

Daily cleansing

Before any manipulation with contact lenses, the main condition must be fulfilled - maintain hand hygiene. Hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and running water. It is advisable to use antibacterial soap (without various fragrances and chemical impurities).

To clean multi-day contact lenses, you need to purchase a multi-purpose solution, a storage container and tweezers for removing lenses. Contact lenses should be cleaned daily immediately after removal. Cleaning is carried out using a universal, multi-purpose solution.

Daily cleaning of lenses is carried out as follows:

Place the contact lens on your palm.
Place a few drops of universal solution on the inner surface of the lens.
Wipe the inside and outside of the lens with your fingertips.
Pour a small amount of fresh solution into a clean container and place the contact lenses in it.

To prevent infection from getting into your eyes, you need to take care not only of the cleanliness of your contact lenses, but also of the cleanliness of the container. After putting on contact lenses in the morning, the solution should be poured out of the container, rinsed with clean running water and left to dry in a well-ventilated area with low humidity.

Soft contact lenses must be treated with products designed to care for soft contact lenses. Under no circumstances should they be treated with solutions and products for hard contact lenses, as their shape may become deformed and the lenses will quickly become unusable.

If your eyes are prone to dryness, then it is advisable for you to purchase lens solutions with a special moisturizing component. Also, you should additionally purchase drops to moisturize your eyes. It is not recommended to instill eyes with a universal solution, as this can lead to irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.

Enzymatic purification

It is known that hydrogel or newer and more modern silicone hydrogel material is used for the production of contact lenses. This material has a porous structure, and its pores are regularly clogged with particles of dirt, dust, as well as protein and lipid deposits of the eye. These contaminants form an opaque film on the surface of the lenses and then negatively affect the quality of vision correction. To clean contact lenses from these contaminants, enzyme cleaning is performed. It is especially necessary for cleaning contact lenses worn for more than three months. Cleaning should be done once a week.

Enzyme tablets are used to remove protein deposits from contact lenses. They effectively break down various organic compounds and remove them from the porous structure of contact lenses. Thus, the surface of the lenses becomes completely transparent after cleaning.

If you do not regularly clean contact lenses from protein deposits using enzyme tablets, microorganisms begin to rapidly multiply in them, which leads to unpleasant consequences in the form of inflammatory eye diseases, burning and stinging in the eyes, a feeling of a “veil” before the eyes and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. lenses Enzymatic cleaning is necessary primarily for traditional lenses and routine replacement lenses.

Enzymatic cleaning of contact lenses is carried out as follows:

To carry out the procedure, you need to prepare several tablets, tweezers and a container. Before cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
The container in which the cleaning will be carried out must be rinsed with water and filled with fresh multi-purpose solution. Instead of a cleaning solution, you can also use hydrogen peroxide or saline solution.
Remove the enzyme tablets from the packaging and use tweezers to immerse them in the container with the solution until completely dissolved.
Place contact lenses in a container for a certain period of time(this time may vary, and it is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging). The container must be closed during cleaning.
After cleaning, contact lenses and the container should be washed with water. After the procedure, the lenses must sit in a container with a multi-purpose solution for about 2 hours before they can be worn.

A hydrogel material with a high percentage of water content tends to absorb more protein and lipid deposits. However, hydrogel lenses with high hydration capacity cannot be subjected to enzymatic cleaning for a long time, since particles of these substances often remain in the lens and then cause eye irritation during wear. The incompatibility of these lenses with enzymatic cleaners significantly reduces their service life.

Extended wear contact lenses can be worn continuously for a certain period of time. However, it is recommended to remove them at night at least once a week to ensure complete cleaning and disinfection. Due to the 24/7 wearing of these lenses, there is a huge risk of infectious eye diseases.

Disinfection

Disinfection of contact lenses is a mandatory procedure to ensure the safety of your eyes and protect them from the development of inflammatory diseases.

Most often, chemical disinfection is carried out using specific disinfectants (for example, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, polyquad, dimed).

To effectively sterilize contact lenses, as well as to remove various deposits and preservatives from the surface of lenses, a peroxide system is often used. It is especially advisable to use it for contact lenses worn for more than one month. Contact lenses are cleaned using a peroxide system once every 1-2 weeks.

The main component of the peroxide system is a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, which can effectively destroy a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi. In addition, the peroxide system does not contain various preservatives, so it is well suited for people with sensitive eyes and those suffering from allergic reactions to certain components of cleaning solutions. The peroxide system should not be used to disinfect soft contact lenses with high moisture content as this may cause significant damage to them.

When using the peroxide system, all rules must be carefully followed. It is imperative to wait until the hydrogen peroxide is neutralized and not remove the lens from the solution ahead of time. The peroxide particles can then get into the eye and cause burning and other discomfort.

Heat treatment is also used to disinfect lenses. It is carried out in a water bath for 20 minutes. However, this disinfection method is not recommended, since regular heating leads to rapid wear of the material from which the lenses are made, as well as a change in their optical properties. Such disinfection can be carried out only for lenses with low hydrophilicity and only for patients with allergic reactions to the components of cleaning solutions.

Storage

It is not recommended to keep soft contact lenses outdoors for long periods of time. Evaporation of water, which is present in their composition, in large quantities, will lead to drying and deformation of the material. It will no longer be possible to wear such lenses. A special container with solution is intended for storing lenses. The container is necessary to prevent the material from which the lenses are made from drying out and becoming saturated with moisture.

The container must always be kept sterile. After use, the solution must be poured out and a new one poured in. After pouring the solution, the container must be treated with a disinfectant and dried.

The container must be changed monthly. It is recommended to do the same with tweezers to remove lenses from the container.

How to care for colored contact lenses?

Particular attention should be paid to the rules for caring for colored lenses. They are slightly different from the rules for caring for regular clear contact lenses.

Since colored contact lenses have a layer of pigment, they must be cared for very carefully. To care for colored contact lenses, special non-aggressive products are required that will not damage the pigment layer. This is especially true for disinfection. Peroxide solutions should not be used to sterilize colored lenses.

Consequences that arise from improper care

Following all the rules and nuances for lens care will allow you to avoid many eye problems. These can be various complications caused by neglecting the rules of hygiene and wearing contact lenses.

If you do not clean your lenses daily or do not disinfect them at the proper time, there is a huge risk of inflammatory eye diseases. These include conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis and other diseases.

Without proper cleaning of contact lenses from dirt and protein deposits, the transparency of the lens decreases and, consequently, the quality of vision correction deteriorates. In addition, protein deposits clog the pores of the material, which leads to a decrease in the oxygen permeability of the lenses and the development of corneal hypoxia due to insufficient oxygen supply.

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conclusions

Caring for contact lenses is a mandatory daily procedure. Compliance with all the rules and nuances will allow you to avoid the occurrence of many eye diseases and complications. Only with proper care will your lenses maintain their quality and optical properties for a long time.