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Contact lenses enhance your vision mostly by correcting refractive errors. Available in many shades and powers, they have a wide community of 45 million users in the US alone. Unlike glasses though, lenses come with solutions, lens cases, and a ton of instructions.
Contact lens solution is a must-have for lenses. It helps clean and store lenses and needs to be premium quality to avoid irritation and inflammation in your eyes. With hundreds of brands and diverse types of solutions available, it is no wonder users are confused which solution will be the perfect one for them.
But don't worry! You have come to the right place. We rounded up a few of the highest-quality contact lens solutions for 2024 to help solve your dilemma!
Comparing the Top Contact Lens Solution of 2024 in Detail
Renu Contact Lens Solution — Best Overall
Let's start the list with this multipurpose lens solution which makes wearing lenses a breeze. Thanks to its advanced formula, it provides excellent disinfection and cleaning. This option offers all-day comfort with no irritation or allergies but should be used with care to avoid any adverse effects.
This product also comes in a pack of two to condition and hydrate your lenses, making them comfortable to wear all day long. Combining efficient cleaning, adequate hydration, and quality ingredients, we judged this option as the best overall on this list.
Pros
- Lens case included in the package
- Large-size bottles
- Comfortable and hydrating
Cons
- Packaging could be improved to prevent leaks
Biotrue Hydration Contact Lens Solution — Most Hydrating
Designed to keep your lenses super moisturized for hours, this is an option worth considering because of its hydrating agents. The exceptional sanitizing and conditioning are thanks to its active cleansing agents. This product also matches the pH of natural tears, making wearing your lenses super comfortable and easy. Natural components are the inspiration for the ingredients used in this solution — the hyaluronan (HA), potassium, and antioxidants in this option mimic the moisturizers and electrolytes found in real tears.
The package comes with two large-size bottles that can be used for storing and rinsing your lenses. This solution is also premium quality and the manufacturer uses proper laboratory testing to ensure safe products.
Pros
- Keeps eyes moisturized for hours
- Can be used to rinse and store lenses
- Prevents allergic reactions
Cons
- Not travel-friendly due to large size
Opti-Free Contact Lens Solution — Best for Reconditioning
This lens care solution is designed for optimal daily cleaning. It features top-notch cleaning ingredients and offers you a sterile, clear, and comfortable lens experience. Polyquad and aldox make up the exclusive 2D formula that helps wash away irritants, preventing eye infections and diseases. The “TearGlyde” reconditioning system, along with natural tears, helps create a moisture barrier when you have your lenses in. So even after hours, it can offer extreme comfort to users.
The solution is compatible with soft lenses and silicone hydrogel options, making them a top choice for many users. Lastly, with an easy-to-use procedure, great quality ingredients, and noticeable results, it's another one of our favorites!
Pros
- Offers great cleaning
- TearGlyde reconditioning system offers better comfort
- Suitable for soft and silicon lenses
Cons
- Not suitable for rigid lenses
Boston Advance Contact Lens Solution — Perfect for Rigid Lenses
If you are searching for a solution for gas-permeable lenses, this formula is the number one recommendation by doctors. The ingredients in this option help clean your lenses by removing lipids and proteins. Additionally, it ensures comfort thanks to efficient conditioning and cushioning even after long hours of use. This formula will soothe your eyes due to the patented cushioning system and it is also easy to use. Overall the package comes with a cleaner, a more comfortable formula, and a conditioning solution and lens case, making it a great value for the money.
Pros
- Easy on eyes
- Moisturizes and comforts
- Ideal for gas-permeable lenses
Cons
- Packaging needs improvement
Kirkland Contact Lens Solution — Great Value
Wrapping up this list is a multipurpose solution that offers over 16 hours of moisture. Thanks to active cleaning agents, it cleans your lenses by removing all types of dirt and debris. It also helps remove proteins from your contacts, eliminating the need to purchase a separate enzymatic cleaner. Clean and disinfected lenses will provide ideal comfort throughout your day and won’t allow your lenses to get dry even after hours of wearing them. Along with great results, this option also comes with a lens case, making it a great all-in-one solution for contact wearers.
Pros
- Removes proteins and buildups
- Disinfects and cleans well
- Lens case comes included
Cons
- Poorly designed bottle
Finding Your Next Contact Lens Solution: A Buyer’s Guide
Lens solutions keep your lenses soft and moisturized when not in use and can help clean them of residues, buildup, and allergens. With this in mind, we gathered some info to help you purchase the right lens solution and avoid eye discomfort, irritation, and even diseases. Let's get started!
Why Are Lens Solutions Used?
Before jumping to the core buyer’s guide, knowing what a premium-quality lens solution offers is essential. Here's a quick overview:
Disinfects
Contact lenses need to be disinfected after every use to protect your eyes from damaging reactions. This is because a poorly disinfected lens can cause eye allergies and infections.
Preserves
Without a lens solution, you cannot store your lenses. So, keeping your lenses in a solution is essential to make them last as long as they are supposed to.
Cleans
In addition to disinfecting, a contact solution also acts as a surfactant. It is used to rinse lenses to get rid of dirt and debris, offering greater clarity and comfort.
Moisturizes
Lens care solutions moisturize lenses and keep your eyes from drying out even after hours of wearing contacts. Without a great solution, you will most likely notice your eyes and lenses drying out, making you use additional drops to soothe them.
Precautions for Using Lenses and Lens Solutions
Here are a few additional things to keep in mind when using lenses to avoid harming your eyes:
- Always wash your hands before applying or taking your lenses out
- Clean your lens case and let it dry before adding solution to it
- Never reuse contact lens solution
- If lenses cause irritation or any discomfort, take them out
- Change your lens solution regularly to avoid your lenses drying out
Do Lens Solutions Vary?
Lens solutions vary based on the type of formula and the ingredients used in their production. Here are some popular variations:
Multipurpose solution
One of the most widely used products is multipurpose lens solutions. These solutions are used on plenty of lenses to clean, rinse, and store them. Most lenses come with this type of solution and they are compatible with most users.
Hydrogen-peroxide solution
Another variation consists of hydrogen peroxide. It requires more care while using it though, but it is still a great alternative to multipurpose solutions.
Hard-lens solution
Rigid or hard lenses require a thicker lubricating solution. These differ in their ingredients and how they work since lenses vary a lot product by product.
Buying the Right Lens Solution
If you're planning to purchase a lens care solution, it's best to go through the following steps:
Contact your optometrist
First things first, it's always recommended you contact your eye doctor or optometrist for a pair of lenses. They will also recommend the type of solution to use along with the lenses, although you can still purchase a different solution. But, again, it's a good idea to invest in a choice curated by your doctor as cases and needs can vary significantly.
Reviewing lens types
While looking for a lens solution, it's essential to ensure whether the solution and your lenses are compatible. This is because there are different lens solutions for soft lenses as well as silicone and rigid lenses.
Soaking time
The amount of time needed for the lenses to soak is also important. Since some solutions only require you to soak them for two to four hours, others may recommend soaking them overnight. Review the soaking time of the solution you purchase to understand how long you will be unable to use your contacts.
Comfort
Always look for contact lens solutions offering comfort for hours of use, and avoid ones that burn, cause redness, or irritate your eyes. Any solution void of moisturizers, cleaners, or quality ingredients will cause discomfort in your eyes.
Size
The size of your lens care solution bottles should also be kept in mind. This is because not all bottles are travel friendly. It's best to look for bottles that come in travel sizes so that you can take them along with you wherever you go.
