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

different kind deposits found on contact lenses these are mainly proteins and lipids that are formed naturally in the eyes themselves and, when interacting with lenses, are deposited on them. Lenses can appear oily due to lipid deposits, and protein deposits are manifested by the appearance of cloudy lenses. Dirt, dust, oils, makeup and smoke are all possible causes of lens deposits.

Eye health

Cleaning, disinfecting and removing protein deposits are a vital part of contact lens care. Never replace one procedure with another. Follow the 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 alter the fit (decentration) of the lenses and impair their adhesion to the cornea, degrade the quality of the edges and surface of the lenses, reduce oxygen permeability to the eye, and lead to uncontrolled tearing. All leads to burning, irritation, redness and deterioration in the quality of vision.

Features of the appearance of deposits

Protein deposit cleaners are recommended for soft contact lenses, but can also be used on hard lenses. Since they are worn for longer periods of time, they will naturally accumulate more deposits of all kinds and, therefore, more effort will be required to clean them.

How to prevent the problem

Proper daily use, as well as the use of a special enzymatic (enzymatic) solution for lenses, should help remove all protein deposits on them and prevent their occurrence. Wearing disposable lenses will also solve this problem without the need for daily lens cleaning.

What to do if deposits appear?

Normal 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 directed by a physician. It is important to note that protein cleansers are not designed to disinfect or clean dirt and oil from lenses. And their use requires a special approach.

No matter how high-quality and expensive they are, the risk of developing complications during their use is not excluded. The main cause of unpleasant consequences is the patient's non-compliance with the rules for using an ophthalmic product: improper storage, ignoring asepsis conditions, incorrectly selected or poor-quality solutions. In more rare cases, a complication from wearing lenses can cause a doctor's mistake - the wrong selection of a corrective product. Next, consider the most common problems when using lenses.

Corneal edema

This is the most common complication. It develops during a lack of oxygen to tissues. Such a reaction occurs when wearing low-quality lenses or falling asleep in them. It is necessary to consult with an ophthalmologist about their replacement, and also to exclude sleep in lenses.

Protein type deposits

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

With the accumulation of protein and other deposits (lipid or calcium), clouding of the lens surface can be noticed. Deposits lead to the formation of various roughness, which 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, conjunctiva. In addition, the technical characteristics of the lenses deteriorate significantly, simply, the patient sees worse in them.

Large-pallar conjunctivitis

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

Accompanied by a complication of increased, redness, itching. The patient complains of a sensation of having a foreign object in the eye.

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

allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common inflammatory disease of the eye. This is usually not dangerous and with proper treatment it can be quickly neutralized. 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 the penetration of infectious microorganisms.

Sometimes an allergic reaction may occur due to the wrong lens material. Such a reaction is manifested as a classic allergic conjunctivitis: redness, burning, sensation in the eyes.

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

One of the reasons why people refuse to wear contact lenses over time is the occurrence of various deposits on the contact lens.

One of the reasons why people over time is the occurrence of various deposits that can cause discomfort or lead to serious complications, such as, for example, papillary conjunctivitis. A lot of experience has been gained in the field of deposit prevention and control, 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 the natural environment. One of the main tasks of biomedicine in this case is to achieve the desired 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 the tissues in contact with it; in the case of contact lenses, it may be papillary conjunctivitis. The formation of deposits on contact lenses leads to a deterioration in 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 tissues and fluids surrounding it do not have a hostile and significant effect on each other. However, so far this ideal has been 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 in different people occurs in different ways, the same can be said about the composition of the lacrimal fluid - the set of its components can vary widely. Although the eyelid is lubricated by tear fluid, it still has a forceful effect on the substances absorbed by the anterior surface of the contact lens. In the modern world, the lacrimal system in humans is not always optimally tuned; tear fluid can be affected by factors such as air conditions, computer work, diets, and the use of various medications. This effect is usually negative, so that some percentage of the population has some degree of dry eye syndrome.

Deposits on a contact lens are a type of biological boundary processes. Some features of deposits are similar to those of processes such as blood clotting and tartar formation.

Surface deposits in the form of a film

Protein deposits in the form of films are usually the result of 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 a contact lens, the more proteins accumulate, the less moisture remains in the contact lens. In addition to other factors that reduce the moisture content in a contact lens, such as temperature, dehydration, 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 size of the pores of the contact lens matrix. Immediately after placing a contact lens in the eye, the proteins begin to be absorbed very quickly (this is not a process that occurs after a week or a month). Normally 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 the situation only gets worse over time. The main proteins that make up the deposits are albumin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins. The presence of proteins on the surface of a contact lens can lead to an immune response from the palpebral conjunctiva (conjunctiva of the eyelids). Antibodies are released, as a result of which the papilla (papillae) increases, papillary conjunctivitis occurs.

Surface deposits in the form of fatty films usually appear more "greasy", which is to be expected from the accumulation of fats and oils. A characteristic feature is a fingerprint (or something similar to it) that remains on the surface of a contact lens 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 malformed secretions, so they should be checked for infection or inflammation. It is possible that a person has a syndrome of "dry eye" or blinking is not done completely or not often enough. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives and diuretics, can also affect the presence of fat in tears. Fats are attracted to non-ionic lenses. Can attract fats and silicone components of contact lenses. Grease deposits can sometimes appear on contact lenses when using furniture polish sprays that contain silicones.

Bacterial contamination of contact lenses is very dangerous, because if the antimicrobial activity of tears is lower than normal, infection may occur. Bacterial and mineral (inorganic salt) deposits in the form of films are not easily recognized, and they are less common than protein and fatty films. Suffice it to say that accumulations of bacteria (or other microbes) can be in a nutrient film, which itself contributes to their reproduction. Bacteria can also accumulate near discrete raised deposits, in pits and scratches on a contact lens. As a result, cleaning and disinfection do not lead to sufficient elimination. Toxins released by bacteria can cause hostile corneal reactions. Since bacteria are always present in the eye, natural processes are quite effective in preventing their reproduction. In the new ionic contact lenses, the negatively charged hydroxyl group repels negatively charged bacteria. However, the surface of a contact lens cannot remain in a "virgin" state forever, and the resulting "biofilms" can attract bacteria. Their reproduction is accelerated when the bacterium attaches to the surface of the contact lens. Environments with high acidity also promote the growth of bacteria. Therefore, an increase in the content of lactic acid and carbonic acid in the lacrimal fluid leads to a decrease in pH and may affect bacterial adhesion.

New materials that reduce hypoxia and hypercapnia should be safer in this respect. 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 materials for extended wear contact lenses, 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 degradation of the polymer, and in addition, they can be a source of fungal infection on the 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 contact lens polymer; consists of unsaturated fatty acids and calcium, which serves as a stabilizer.
2. The middle layer, which occupies most of the deposit, looks like a dome; consists of cholesterol, cholesterol esters and mucins.
3. Third layer, transparent; is made up of proteins.

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

Large complex spots are called jelly bumps and range in size from 200 to 800 micrometers. Such deposits are extremely difficult to remove, especially when they grow into the matrix, and not just on the surface of the contact lens. They can be eliminated with the use of intensive oxidative and enzymatic cleaners, however, after the contact lens is worn again, deposits form in the same places.

These deposits can cause different symptoms. Possible weakening of vision, mechanical irritation of the palpebral conjunctiva (with concomitant follicular and papillary conjunctivitis), very rarely - minor injuries to the epithelium (if the deposit has occurred on the reverse side of the contact lens).

Plaque plaques and deposits giving 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 have a white color, they have clearly distinguishable boundaries. The form is right and wrong. These deposits are visible even to the naked eye; it is believed that they consist of calcium, however, in a much more intense content than in the films. Crystalline deposits may be covered with a translucent film. Calcium, phosphate and carbonate ions accumulate on the surface of the lens, 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 spots 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 user - for example, if he works at a lathe and his eyes are not properly protected. Iron particles usually enter the eye from the air, in some cases they are brought in by hand. If the particle is small and indented into the contact lens, then usually the eye 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 arise. Over time, the particle may fly off the surface of the contact lens, but the rust stain will remain.

Color change

Disinfectant solutions are now largely free of traditional preservatives such as thimerosal and chlorhexidine, so contact lens discoloration is less common than it used to be. In most cases, the stain covers the entire contact lens and is evenly distributed over it, only in rare cases the color is not uniform.

Brown and tan spots are usually caused by the presence of melanin and tyrosine. Nicotine can contribute to the appearance of melanin-like substances, as well as have a direct effect through cigarette smoke. Adrenaline and vasoconstrictors can also be the cause of this color.

Thimerosal preservatives contain mercury, which can lead to a gray discoloration of the contact lens, ranging from light gray to dark gray. Chlorhexidine can cause yellow-green or gray-green discoloration of contact lenses, which, when exposed to ultraviolet light, begin to fluoresce.
Discoloration of the contact lens can be caused by the use of medications. For example, epinephrine, when oxidized, can form melanin pigments that are dark brown in color.

Mixed deposits

Earlier we discussed the individual types of deposits. However, it should be noted that not in all cases specific deposits appear on the contact lens. So, mixed fat and protein deposits can occur, and it is rather difficult to determine whether this deposit is specific or mixed.

Removal of deposits

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

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

Cleaning a contact lens with your fingers using a surfactant cleaner is designed to remove loosely attached deposits - mucin, bacteria, waste products, and other substances such as undenatured proteins - from the surface of the contact lens. The associated removal of a large number of microbes contributes to a more effective disinfection. Wiping a contact lens with a surfactant cleaner and then rinsing thoroughly afterward plays a huge role in contact lens hygiene. Some cleaners are alcohol based and therefore 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 equally affected by them. We also note that deposits such as jelly-like bubbles are rare in our time, due to the popularity of contact lenses for frequent planned replacement.

If it was possible to determine the type of deposit, it is worth choosing contact lenses made from a different material. For example, if the deposit is proteinaceous and the contact lens is made of an ionic material, then a non-ionic lens should be tried. 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% hydrogen peroxide solution for several hours. If a protein is involved in the stain, then removing it can weaken the stain. In some cases, nothing helps at all, it remains only to replace contact lenses and prescribe a care system that does not use traditional preservatives.

While it's impossible to completely reduce the chance of deposits, following the tips above will help reduce contact lens refusals caused by deposits.

Prepared by Vadim Davydov based on the article "Contact Lens Surface: Properties and Interactions" (Optometry Today. 1999. July 30); the online version of the article is available at www.optometry.co.uk; the illustrations from the press releases of the company "Ciba Vision" 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 the methods of preventing and combating these deposits. We are sure that following the recommendations below will make the process of wearing lenses much more comfortable!

What it is?

Deposits on contact lenses are the result of a biological process that takes place on the surface of lenses during extended use. The appearance of deposits is quite dangerous, as it can first lead 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 make it difficult for oxygen to pass through. They also have a mechanical effect on the eye tissues, leading to corneal erosion (a scratch on its surface) or abrasion (partial removal of the epithelium). That is why it is very important to pay careful attention to the care of contact lenses.

Deposits on the lenses - what are they?

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

Surface films. This category, in turn, is subdivided by experts into:
- protein films: they, as a rule, 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, it manifests itself mainly in the form of mycoses - fungal diseases.
- fatty: are unsaturated fatty acids, the accumulation of which can lead to dryness of the organs of vision.
- bacterial and mineral - microorganisms and inorganic salts. They appear quite rarely, which makes them difficult to recognize.

Discrete (separate) 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" drawings or raids in the form of plaques. They also consist of several layers. The inner is formed from unsaturated fatty acids, the second consists of mucin - a protein. They are white in color, and their borders are clearly visible.

"Rust spots". They resemble a trace left by a particle of iron. "Rust spots" are actually caused by increased levels of melanin (natural dark pigment found in the skin, hair, iris, tissues) and tyrosine (aromatic alpha-amino acid). Often they are formed when tobacco smoke gets into the eyes and when nicotine affects the body as a whole. In addition, the cause of the appearance 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 deposits 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?

Through 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 tools, a decrease in visual perception, and a feeling of discomfort. If the clusters are large, they often lead to redness of the eye. To avoid such a situation, contactologists recommend their patients to observe the following rules:

Regularly clean optical products using special multifunctional and

When it was possible to identify a type of complication, it is possible to choose correction tools made from another material - one that is less susceptible to this type of deposits. For example, if the clusters 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, but it is worth trying to reduce this process to a minimum. Follow the above tips, and most importantly - recommendations of the attending ophthalmologist, whom you should contact at the first signs of discomfort. The final decision on the appointment of a particular drug can only be made by a qualified specialist after all the necessary procedures have been carried out. 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. How well you care for contact lenses depends not only on the effectiveness of vision correction, but also on the health of your eyes.

How to properly care for contact lenses - read in this article.

What you need to know about lenses

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

There is a huge variety of contact lenses on the modern ophthalmic market. First of all, contact lenses are classified into two large groups:

hard;
soft.

Soft contact lenses are the most common form of contact vision correction among consumers. They are 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 the rules for caring for them can be different. Soft contact lenses are usually made from two types of materials:

Hydrogel. This is a polymeric material, characterized by softness in contact with water, good wettability. These material properties provide comfort during wear and eliminate the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Lenses made from hydrogel can have low or high hydration capacity (water content). Hydrogel lenses with a 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 of the silicone content in these contact lenses makes them harder and stronger. In addition, the silicone hydrogel material is more oxygen permeable and does not dry out during wear.

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

Wear mode specifics

Soft contact lenses have different periods and modes of wearing, which are usually indicated on the product packaging. These rules set 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 poor eye health and even rapid loss of vision.

Soft contact lenses are divided into three groups according to the terms of wearing:

Traditional contact lenses. These are the earliest soft contact lenses, they appeared before other types. The term of their wearing 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.
Planned replacement contact lenses. These contact lenses are more marketable than their traditional counterparts due to their countless benefits. The term of wearing lenses of a planned replacement can be different - 2 weeks, a month, a quarter. These lenses are made from different materials and can have different levels of water content and oxygen permeability. When buying these lenses, you need to pay special attention to these indicators.
Daily contact lenses. The most expensive but safe type of soft contact lenses. Ideal for those who do not want to constantly care for lenses. However, not everyone can afford it. Daily contact lenses are very convenient on trips, business trips, travel, as 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.

Hydrogel contact lenses can be safely worn for about 8-12 hours. In no case should they be worn for more than 15 hours, and even more so to sleep in them, since in this case there are high risks of developing corneal hypoxia.

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

Proper care of contact lenses will not only keep your eyes healthy and comfortable while wearing, but will also extend the life of the product. If you do not want your lenses to deteriorate prematurely, you need to take care of them correctly. As a rule, care is required for traditional lenses, as well as planned replacement lenses. Daily care lenses do not require.

Daily cleansing

Before any manipulations with contact lenses, it is necessary to fulfill the main condition - to maintain hand hygiene. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and running water. It is desirable to use antibacterial soap (without various fragrances and chemical impurities).

To clean multi-day contact lenses, you need to purchase an all-purpose solution, a storage case, and lens removal tweezers. Contact lenses should be cleaned daily immediately after removal. Purification is carried out using a universal, multi-purpose solution.

Daily lens cleaning is as follows:

Place the contact lens in the palm of your hand.
Put 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 contact lenses in it.

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

Soft contact lenses need to be treated with products that are designed to care for soft contact lenses. In no case should they be treated with solutions and products for hard contact lenses, as their shape can be deformed and the lenses will quickly become unusable.

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

Enzymatic cleaning

It is known that for the production of contact lenses using hydrogel or newer and more modern silicone hydrogel material. 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 lens surface and then adversely affect the quality of vision correction. To clean contact lenses from these contaminants, enzymatic (enzymatic) cleaning is performed. It is especially necessary for cleaning contact lenses with a wearing period of more than three months. Cleaning should be done once a week.

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

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

Enzymatic cleaning of contact lenses is performed as follows:

To carry out the procedure, it is necessary to prepare several tablets, tweezers and a container. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cleaning.
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.
Take the enzyme tablets out of the packaging and dip them with tweezers into the solution container until completely dissolved.
Place contact lenses in the container for a certain amount 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 must be washed with water. After the procedure, the lenses should lie in a container with a multi-purpose solution for about 2 hours, only then they can be worn.

Hydrogel material with a high percentage of water content tends to absorb more protein and lipid deposits. However, hydrogel lenses with a 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 lifespan.

Extended wear contact lenses can be worn continuously for a certain period of time. However, it is recommended to take them off at night at least once a week to allow for a thorough cleaning and disinfection. In connection with the round-the-clock wearing of these lenses, there is a huge risk of infectious eye diseases.

Disinfection

Disinfection of contact lenses is a mandatory procedure that ensures the safety of your eyes and protects 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 the lenses, a peroxide system is often used. It is especially advisable to use it for contact lenses with a wearing period of more than one month. Contact lenses are cleaned with a peroxide system once every 1-2 weeks.

The main component of the peroxide system is a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, which is able to 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 allergic reactions to certain components of cleaning solutions. The peroxide system should not be used when disinfecting soft contact lenses with a high moisture content, as this can significantly damage them.

When using a peroxide system, you must carefully follow all the rules. It is imperative to wait for the hydrogen peroxide to neutralize and not to remove the lens from the solution ahead of time. 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 method of disinfection 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 only be carried out 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 a long time. The evaporation of water, which is present in their composition, in large quantities, will lead to drying and deformation of the material. Such lenses will then be impossible to wear. A special container with a solution is designed to store lenses. The container is necessary to prevent the material from which the lenses are made from drying out and saturating them with moisture.

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

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

How to care for colored contact lenses?

Particular attention should be paid to the rules for the care of colored lenses. They are somewhat different from the rules for caring for ordinary transparent contact lenses.

Since colored contact lenses have a layer of pigment, they must be taken care of 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. Do not use peroxide solutions to sterilize colored lenses.

Consequences arising from improper care

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

If you do not clean your lenses daily or do not disinfect them at the right 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.

Video

conclusions

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