Popova Marina Eduardovna

Reading time: 4 minutes

A A

An obligatory item during storage and getting used to contact lenses is keeping them in a special solution that cleans, disinfects and moisturizes.

Almost all types are subject to constant cleaning, except for daily ones, which are used as a disposable consumable.

In order to remove dust particles, bacteria or protein deposits from the surface of products, it is necessary to take care of their proper storage in a container or methods of replacing the liquid itself with other solutions.

Below in the article you will learn in detail how to replace lens fluid if a specially designed solution is not at hand.

Features of the choice of liquid for contact lenses

You can satisfy the wishes of the buyer, knowing some of the nuances of the choice:

• • Composition plays a big role when choosing liquid for contact lenses, but usually choose the most popular brands such as Renu. Manufacturers create specific formulas for each type of solution, which, in turn, have a bactericidal and disinfectant effect. Chelating element and buffer substance will remain one of the main components.

• You need to choose a solution for its intended purpose for every day or universal, which is more convenient. In terms of care for daily products, a lot of time is not needed, since they must be changed constantly.
• But multifunctional options must be put in a special solution before going to bed, which will get rid of bacteria, microbes, protein deposits, dust.
• The label and description of the composition of the liquid should be studied in advance before buying, since, for example, peroxide products have very serious contraindications.

Attention! It is important to undergo a preliminary examination and, on the basis of this, determine whether there are allergic reactions. Only a specialist will be able to choose a drug based on individual characteristics. It's quite difficult to do it yourself.

How to properly store lenses?

It is especially important to know how to store products for those who use reusable options and, of course, how to replace contact lens solution if the original is not at hand.

If the client will use the same pair of products for a long time, he should familiarize himself with the rules for storing liquid for them.

If the packaging of the vision correction device has not yet been opened, the shelf life may be as long as indicated in the appropriate box.

How are products used and stored, and what to do if there is no lens solution:

1. The purchase of a special container is a prerequisite for storing this kind of material.
2. The liquid is used only once to clean the surface of the lenses, it is not recommended to do this again.
3. It is best to inspect the container regularly with a magnifying glass for contamination.
4. It is not recommended to mix the remains of the old solution and the new one; each time the container should be thoroughly rinsed. If you are completely out of branded solution, you can make lens fluid at home (more on that below).
5. Heat treatment of the container itself once a week is also necessary.
6. The cleanliness of the products that are removed from the solution is ensured by well-washed hands and the use of tweezers as a holder.
7. Products must be completely immersed in the solution., some manufacturers even have special marks for the correct pouring of liquid.

To keep your eyesight at the right level and not let it fall, you should follow these simple rules.

Important! As soon as any discomfort or burning is felt after using the lenses, they should be removed immediately, checked for cleanliness and subjected to additional processing.

What is a substitute for lens solution?

Even if there is no special solution for cleaning products at hand, there are substitutes that will do an excellent job of this role.

It is important that alternative methods are safe for the patient, do not cause a feeling of "mote in the eye" and it would be comfortable to be with them around the clock.

The most popular options for replacing lens solution:

• Saline is the most suitable substitute for lens fluid. This solution for lenses, at home, will be able to replace a special liquid for some time. The container in which the products are placed must be disinfected, it can even be boiled beforehand and only then poured with saline. You can store lenses in such a tool, periodically replacing it with a new one. The container can only be closed when the products are completely under saline.
• Some eye drops (such as Vizin: Clear Tear) are also used as lens fluid. as they prevent the surface from drying out. The composition includes special components that allow you to disinfect the solution and do not pose a threat to humans.

How to make lens solution at home?

With the right combination of water and salt, you can make your own lens solution, which fights bacteria, deposits, dust.

To do this, you will need: a container (which can be tightly closed), salt, clean water and a device to heat the water.

To prepare a composition than replace contact lens solution, you will need to take the following steps:

• Thoroughly wash and boil the container in which you will store the products;
• Boil 1000 ml of clean water (filtered or bought in an artesian store);
• Gradually dissolve 9 grams of salt in boiling water;
• Cool the resulting solution, pour into a container prepared for storing lenses, and rinse the lenses with this solution before the final immersion in storage;
• In the morning, the lenses must be placed in a real solution and kept there for 2-3 hours.

Important! Keep an eye on your eyes putting on lenses after such a self-prepared saline solution. If even the slightest dryness or discomfort of the eyes appears, immediately remove the products.

Liquids not suitable for storage

• Ordinary water will not fit in the liquid, where to put the lenses if there is no solution, as it already contains a large number of bacteria, which, in turn, can lead to the formation of mold. This includes boiled and distilled water.
• Saliva is strictly forbidden to wipe the surface of the lens, for the same reason as water.
• If you completely abandon the use of liquid, this will lead to drying of the surface and damage not only to the material, but also to vision.

Attention! It is recommended to use substitutes only in extreme cases, for example, if there is no liquid for lenses, and it is not yet possible to buy a new one.

Useful video

In the video you will see clearly how to prepare a lens solution at home using salt and water:

After all, special liquids for storing lenses were created so that the eyes would not be exposed to external irritants, feel comfortable with a foreign object, be constantly moistened and protected from dust and dirt.

In contact with

How can I replace the lens solution if saline is over

All contact lens wearers know that at night, these products must be removed from the eye cavity and placed in a special solution. You can buy the necessary composition at the nearest pharmacy. But, different situations happen in life. And it may happen that the desired solution is over, and the lenses have to be placed in other formulations. What fluids can replace saline? And is it possible to replace the special solution with other compounds at all? What do contact lens manufacturers recommend about this?

Do not believe the misconception that lenses should be stored in a dark, cool place. This is absolutely not true. Contact lens manufacturers recommend storing ophthalmic products under the following conditions:

Replacement options

Salty water

How to replace the lens solution at night at home? You can use purified water and salt. To do this, the lens storage container must be thoroughly disinfected by boiling. The solution is easy to prepare: you need to take 100 ml of purified water, bring to a boil and add 9 grams of salt. It is very important to add salt in small portions, thoroughly stirring each previous portion before adding the next. After the final dissolution of the salt, the composition is cooled and poured into a prepared container.

You can remove the lenses and lower them into prepared salt water. To prevent germs and dust from getting into the container, it is necessary to cover it with a clean lid on top.

saline solution

The easiest way to replace contact lens solution is to use regular saline. You can buy it at any pharmacy. To save the lenses with saline, you must first disinfect the container. Then, pour a small amount of the solution, dip the lenses into it and close the container with a clean lid. Of course, this storage option will not disinfect the polymers, but it will preserve their flexibility and structure.

Eye drops

At home, you can replace your contact lens solution with moisturizing eye drops. Given that this tool is sterile, it will help to avoid contamination and infection of contact products during storage. Be sure to boil the container before immersing the lenses. Then, you can pour drops into it and immerse lenses in them overnight. Of course, drops will not remove bacteria from the surface, but if a special solution has run out, the use of moisturizing ophthalmic products can be a way out of the situation.

What to do next

After storing lenses in other compositions that are not intended for this purpose, it is recommended to place the products in a special solution. This will remove pathogenic bacteria and make the surface sterile. If this is not done, in the process of wearing, there may be a burning sensation, discomfort. If any unusual symptoms are present, contact lenses should be removed and discarded. Due to improper storage, products may lose their properties. And on the surface, infections can actively develop.

Summing up

Can the lens solution be replaced? At home, of course, you can use improvised means for storing ophthalmic products. But how this will affect the quality of the lenses is impossible to predict. Experts do not recommend using other liquids for storage. All possible formulations that can be used for contact lenses should only be used as a last resort. For daily storage, be sure to use a special solution.

What can replace contact lens solution in a pinch?

Well, water is the most terrible and dirty thing, yeah) And the fact that in case something gets into the eye, we wash it with what? Well, yes, tap water. No need to worry so much about microorganisms IMHO) Of course, the water should be boiled (well, if you are going to spend the night at a party and are not going to look at anything at night)) and the next day do not try to put on lenses without first soaking in a solution. The question here is rather where to get the container and how to process it correctly. The easiest option is something glass - an ordinary glass. You can sterilize to the point of insanity even on an open fire) and of course cover from dust. As for salt - only if there is an urgent need to wear these lenses the next day. Yes, a little bit is possible, and it is better to ignite the salt.

After all these tricks, on the next day I usually immediately buy albucid in a pharmacy, just in case I drip.

I found myself without a solution in the village. I re-read a bunch of comments, they all confused me!

In the most extreme case, you can put the lenses in boiled water with the addition of a drop of salt. The taste of such water should be salty as a tear. This is the closest thing it will be to a saline solution, similar to the natural eye fluid.

My sister has been wearing lenses ever since they came out. At first, hard lenses were worn and stored just in saline, and saline is nothing more than an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, that is, just salt water. In the absence of saline, the sister always diluted salt water.

By the way, when putting on lenses after spending the night in salt water, I personally did not observe any discomfort. But if you don’t add salt, just put the lenses in clean water, then immediately after putting on the eyes it starts to pinch, and the lens sticks to the eye tightly! Then while you take off, the whole eye is red!

Again, this is a last resort! In no case should you abuse the storage of lenses in improvised solutions!

over a year ago

My 14 year old son currently wears Biomedics xc vision contact lenses. The lenses are cool, thin, daytime, used up to 2 months, you can use them longer if you don’t wear them every day, use them carefully and take care of them properly. Now it is not possible to buy liquid for lenses and we replaced it with salted boiled water, the lenses are in order for the third day now, the eyes do not feel discomfort, so you can replace the solution with salted boiled water for a short time, most importantly, hands should be very clean when touching the lenses. To do this, prepare a 9% saline solution from boiled water. To prepare it, you need half a liter of boiled water and pour salt into it with a sterilized teaspoon without a slide. Pour the desired amount of liquid into the container for storing lenses, and pour the rest.

In general, a real special composition of solutions contains a lot of everything you need for storing lenses and for the eyes:

OK. went through the forums. sleep - thank you. water is not serious. saline or steam with salt - no.

Settled on eye drops

these are those that drip on the worn lenses or, in my extreme case, on the eyes.

I think if for the eyes, then one should not harm the other. pH seems to match and water quality too (no precipitation)

at the very least, if there is a form, then leave it without a break, the next day, buy a solution and soak for a couple of three hours until you return to normal (tested for mild menstruation)

And if there is no form and solution.

a small plastic bag without holes (preferably cleaner and just not the one in which there were onions, garlic, pepper - you can’t put it on afterwards) - breathe deeply into it, then place the lenses with the edge up. tie with a bubble.

Alas, I am not a fan of water. salt. miniraki - otherwise all the precipitation will be on the lenses and then on the eyes

It is better to have drops for lenses in such a case, they always save, or drip ordinary eye drops like Vizin a clean tear. I can’t imagine how you can wash and even more so store lenses in water - imagine how many microorganisms will move to live in your eye. When you boil water (even mineral water), did you notice the sediment? In extreme cases, when there are no drops, no solution, no new lenses, I can remove the lens from one eye, for example, if something has got in and I can’t stand it. The sensation, of course, is not the most comfortable, but, unfortunately, with my myopia, I cannot afford not to see with both eyes.

Unfortunately, a special solution for contact lenses cannot be replaced by anything. If contact lenses could be stored simply in mineral water, or distilled water, then no one would fool around with these very solutions. Contact lenses are not even recommended to be washed under ordinary water. The fact is that in ordinary water, contact lenses quickly become cloudy and deteriorate. If they have lain overnight just in the water, then of course you can dress them. But it's not good for the eyes. More or less significant discomfort will be felt. Well, in principle, if you are ready to put up with it, then.

A friend once forgot the solution for the lenses, and she really didn’t want to throw away the lenses (because they were new and her mother would have nailed her in a figurative sense). So she put them in a container, guess what? With natural tears of her own ((She sat and tried to cause tears, remembering how the guy left her. And she collected it)) True, she didn’t wear them later - she was lucky to disinfect them.

And so, the most popular way is purified water with salt, thoroughly disinfect all items (spoon, container), take clean salt, from a bag (not from a salt shaker). Take just a little bit of salt.

You know, I found the best option for myself - this is to switch to one-day lenses. I increasingly began to experience such situations and I decided that one-day lenses are the best. Moreover, sometimes I really have no time to take care of long-wear lenses. Therefore, I really love the biotrue I have chosen - thin, not felt on the eyes, able to moisturize the eyes throughout the day (they have a moisture content of 78%). I am very satisfied with them.

You can buy a saline solution at a pharmacy (a huge bottle costs about 20-30 rubles), it is salty and similar in composition to a solution for lenses - it just does not contain various components that care for the eyes and lenses. Or buy water for injection - in it, the lenses will definitely survive the night without much loss. But, for good, you don’t need to do this, lens solutions are the best option for storing them.

Lenses can be stored in any clean water. You can put it in a mineral water, but just let the gas come out. Then it is enough to wash under the tap and you can dress. But it is impossible to store in such water for a long time - only a few times. Otherwise, such solutions do not destroy the protein coating on the lenses and can eventually lead to infection of the eye with some kind of muck.

I have never replaced the solution with anything, as it is dangerous for both lenses and eyes. I have one solution, as I chose the best one for lenses. But I changed lenses and now I wear Pure Vision 2 HD. Which she began to wear on the advice of an ophthalmologist when she began to drive a car. They have no glare or halos. On the eyes sit well, do not cause discomfort. Oxygen passes well. Now driving is a joy for me, to be honest))) And by the way, when I studied at a driving school, I saw a poster about these lenses there, but didn’t really attach any importance, now I understand that it’s in vain (((

10 months ago

In extreme cases, you can use hydrogen peroxide. I did. when he blew the purchase of the solution. In general, choose a good solution - this is advice to those who decide to save on an ongoing basis. The miser pays twice, the lenses must be cleaned, disinfected, conditioned. Only a special tool can cope. Now there are a bunch of them on the market, but it is better to choose with hyaluronic acid. After such a solution, the lenses will be comfortable to wear. And the lenses noticeably extend the eyelids. A good solution with Biotrue hyaluronan, I buy it all the time.

No need to replace, you need a normal solution. If you suddenly left somewhere, but there is no solution, it is better to put on glasses. It's just that even with a not very good solution, terrible dry eyes usually occur, but with a home-made one, there will be trouble in general. I use Biotrue solution, it takes excellent care of the lenses. He and cleansing chic provides lenses and moisturizing. I now work in an office where the air is terribly dry, and since I began to use this solution, it’s very comfortable for my eyes, no dryness.

anastavya, you know, I just went to learn to drive and immediately noticed a poster about PureVision 2 HD lenses. Apparently these posters hang in many driving schools. But it’s not for nothing that they hang there, the information about the lenses turned out to be useful for me. We are just switching to practice from theory, you need to drive. In these lenses, I feel comfortable doing this and nothing distracts me, the visibility is good.

Solution substitutes for contact lenses

A store-bought contact lens solution is nothing more than a saline solution prepared under sterile conditions and in certain proportions. But, sometimes there are cases when it suddenly ends or a person who is on a trip forgets it at home. And there is no way to buy: either there is no pharmacy nearby, or they are already closed. So what can temporarily replace the solution for contact lenses?

Distilled water

Make sure you don't use tap water to store or clean your lenses. Distilled water is obtained by purifying ordinary water by boiling and condensing it. It does not contain any impurities or bacteria. Distilled water is allowed to wash the lenses, but it is not able to thoroughly clean them. It can also be used to store contact lenses overnight to prevent them from drying out.

Boiled water:

One of the common bacterial infections that you can suffer from is Acanthamoeba keratitis. There is a strong possibility that tap water may contain Acanthamoeba bacteria. If it enters the eye, this bacterium can lead to inflammation of the cornea and eventually blindness. Some studies have shown that boiling water alone is not enough to get rid of all microorganisms in the water, which means that Acanthamoeba can be found in boiled water. For greater effectiveness, you need to add a little salt to the water. It will help get rid of any microorganisms present in it, which may be the cause of some infectious diseases.

Hydrogen peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent choice for storing, disinfecting and cleaning lenses. It is hypoallergenic and a good option for people who are allergic and highly sensitive to bacterial eye infections. However, direct contact with peroxide in the eyes can cause corneal damage and eye burning, so the hydrogen peroxide must be neutralized before wearing contact lenses. What does it mean? It is necessary to let oxygen out of it and it will be converted into harmless water. This neutralization is an important step towards overcoming the possibility of allergic reactions or increased eye sensitivity.

Precautionary measures:

Before proceeding with any steps in the manufacture or use of the eye solution, make sure that all objects and your hands are completely sterile. This precaution will prevent unwanted bacterial infections. Also, keep in mind not to use homemade eye solution substitutes for long periods of time. A substitute is only an alternative in the event of an emergency. In any other situation, use only a special certified purchased product that an ophthalmologist prescribed for you.

Warning:

This article is written for informational and educational purposes only. Be sure to consult an ophthalmologist before using any replacement contact lens solution.

People who use contact lenses are well aware that it is necessary to use a special solution for their treatment. Thanks to him, corrective agents do not dry out (and they are 80% water!), are cleaned of protein and fat contamination and disinfected.

However, unforeseen situations happen when people simply forget that the solution must be taken with them, or they were delayed and could not return home on time. What to do? What, then, to use and replace the contact lens solution in this case?

home alternative

If suddenly it is not possible to use a factory-made contact lens care liquid, there are several recipes for preparing a suitable solution at home. However, the use of such funds should be resorted to in case of emergency.

Alternatively, you can use:

The use of saline

If there is a pharmacy nearby, but there is no special liquid for lenses, you need to purchase a solution of sodium chloride 0.9%. This tool was used for storage before special solutions appeared, but then the lenses had a more rigid structure.

If there are also containers for lenses. they can be replaced with improvised containers. It can be a glass shot, plastic cups, and in extreme cases - plastic drink lids.

Before using such items, they must be disinfected - washed well, then boiled. Then, saline solution should be poured into a chilled container and lenses should be placed in it, cover them. You can use paper as a lid. Also on top you need to make a note where the left and where the right lenses are.

It is worth remembering that in case of allergies, manifestations of hypersensitivity of the eyes or their suppuration, saline cannot be used!

Distilled water and salt solution

The first step is to remember the simple rules:

So, to prepare a saline solution you will need:

Salt solution must be made only in sterilized containers!

In fact, the liquid that needs to be prepared will be saline. It should be noted right away that the lenses can swell from its impact, in particular, this applies to silicone hydrogel means of aesthetic vision correction.

The first thing to do is to disinfect the dishes in which the solution will be made, as well as the spoon with which the salt will be poured (wash thoroughly and boil for 10 minutes).

Pour 100 ml of distilled water into the prepared container. Well, if it is possible to additionally filter it, bring it to a boil and add edible salt (not iodized) in parts. It is important that before adding a portion of salt, the previous one was completely dissolved in water.

After preparation, the solution must be cooled. Next, pour into a container prepared for storing lenses, place the lenses themselves there and close the container tightly.

After storing contact lenses in home or pharmacy saline, you must place them for three hours in a special tool. If it is not possible to carry out such treatment, you should carefully monitor the eyes after putting on soft lenses.

In case of discomfort, redness or dryness in the eyes, remove them immediately!

Eye drops

Relatively safe means for storing lenses can be considered eye drops marked "pure tear". This product has a moisturizing effect that will keep the lenses from drying out, but it does not disinfect them.

risky alternative

In addition to the above funds, there are several more, but the risk of using them is high:

1. Distilled water. Bacteria can remain even after prolonged boiling of the liquid. Water will help the lenses retain their structure, but after such storage, they must be treated with a special solution purchased at a pharmacy or optics store.
2. Hydrogen peroxide. This tool is part of many solutions for aesthetic correction. After being placed in such a liquid, the lenses must be thoroughly rinsed, because the eyes can get a chemical burn, so you will need products that neutralize hydrogen peroxide.

As a conclusion, it is worth noting that solutions intended for contact lenses are simply necessary, you cannot do without them. If you could limit yourself to water or saline, the problem of acquiring a special solution would disappear by itself.

To avoid such situations, you should buy a small bottle of the solution and put it in your bag so that it is always nearby, or use disposable lenses that you can simply throw away after use without worrying about where to store them.

Contact lenses are made from a porous material that, like a sponge, absorbs liquid and bacteria along with it.

Careless handling of an optical instrument can lead to visual impairment as a result of an infection.

Proper storage will not only minimize the risk of ophthalmic diseases, but also ensure the service life of the optics guaranteed by the manufacturer.

How and where to store contact lenses: general recommendations

For storage and care, sealed containers and multifunctional solutions are used. The container is two paired containers with markings on the left/right caps.

Photo 1. Storing contact lenses in a special container filled with a disinfectant solution.

Storage tanks there are several types:

• universal;
• road;
• for disinfection.

Multifunctional liquids perform several tasks at once: cleaning, disinfection and moisturizing. Basically, they are compatible with any type of lens products, but it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist before buying.

All manipulations with optics to produce only with clean hands:

1. After removing the lenses, put them on the palm of your hand, drip a few drops of the solution on each and gently rub them with your fingertips.
2. Take with special tweezers by the edges and rinse with multi-functional liquid on both sides.
3. Placed in containers pre-filled with fresh solution, while it should completely cover the lenses. You can not put both products together - only one for each compartment.
4. Close the containers and vial with the solution.

The residence time in the solution is at least 6 hours- this is enough for a complete cleaning. Put on contact products immediately, taking them out of the container. Expired fluids must not be used.

Attention! You can't sleep in lenses greatly increases the risk of infection. The only exceptions are devices intended for continuous and long-term wear.

container care rules

Caring for the container is no less important than caring for the optics themselves - in most cases, it is he who is the source of the introduced infection:

• after each use, the liquid in the container must be changed to a fresh portion, after rinsing the containers with a clean solution and drying;
• it is strictly forbidden to wash the containers with tap water;
• necessarily 1 time per week do heat treatment with steam or boiling water;
• regularly change the container to a new one, ophthalmologists recommend doing this 1 time per month.

When changing the multifunctional tool containers are replaced with new ones. If you purchase several containers at once, caring for them will be less troublesome.

What can replace the solution

There are situations when it is necessary to remove the lenses, but there is no special liquid at hand. There are several ways to safely solve this problem:

• Saline. This is the best option. The containers are thoroughly disinfected by boiling for 10 min. Then they are filled with saline and the products are immersed so that they are completely in the liquid.
• Eye drops. This agent does not have disinfectant properties, but only prevents the optics from drying out. After storage in this way, the products are put on only after being treated with a special solution.
• Distilled water. Not the best option but in case of emergency Helps keep lenses from drying out. After storage, disinfection with a special solution is required.

Photo 2. A bottle of distilled water from the manufacturer Oilright. The substance can be used to protect lenses from drying out.

• Brine. This liquid is similar in composition to saline, but when preparing it, it is important to maintain the correct proportions. To do 1% salt solution in a glass of boiled water is diluted 2 gr. salt. Before use, the optics must be disinfected with a special liquid.

All of the above methods are applicable only in emergency cases, but not for daily use.

Important! Storage without any liquid will cause them to dry out. and impossibility of subsequent use.

Where to put eye lenses if there is no container

Instead of a container, any shallow glass container is suitable for storage, for example, jar or glass. The only condition is container must be sterile. To do this, it must be boiled within 10 min.

This option suitable for use only in extreme cases, it is better not to be too lazy and go to the nearest pharmacy. Special containers cost a penny, and new contact lenses will cost much more.

Photo 3. Storage of contact lenses in glasses. The tops of the glasses are covered with lids to prevent dirt from getting in.

Storage temperature

Products are stored at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight. Transportation of products is allowed within the range from +4 to +45 °C.

At sub-zero temperatures, the liquid contained in the lenses begins to crystallize, as a result of which they are deformed and become unusable, therefore storage in the refrigerator is not allowed. But this does not mean that lenses cannot be worn in the cold. The temperature at the surface of the eye is +35 °С, so there is no danger of freezing of the optical instrument.

Lenses are products that improve human vision. The accessory makes it possible to get rid of blurry pictures. At the same time, the lenses require careful care, because they are made from hydrogel. This material has a water layer, which gradually dries out.

for lenses

Before replacing the lens solution, it is worth clarifying what composition is required. To do this, you need to study a special tool for such products. Lens solution contains:

• acids and salt;
• surfactants;
• disinfectants;
• conditioning element.

Each of the components has a special meaning. Salt, as well as acids, are the main ingredients that can restore and maintain soft lenses. In this case, the products are not deformed. Surfactants perform the functions of cleaning the material from dust, protein deposits, and so on. But not everything is so simple. Manufacturers recommend that before using the solution, independently clean the products from contamination.

What can be used

What is a substitute for lens solution? What to do if the necessary funds are not at hand? But without a solution, the lenses will dry out and become unusable. If there is no liquid you need, then you can cook it at home. However, it is worth considering that this will no longer be a multi-purpose solution. Of course, it cannot be called a worthy alternative. This solution is only suitable for temporary use. It can only be used in extreme cases.

You can replace a special lens agent:

• salt water;
• saline;
• eye drops;
• distilled water;
• saliva.

In the absence of a solution, many prefer not to remove the lenses, despite the feeling of discomfort. Experts do not recommend doing this, because products can greatly irritate the organs of vision. Falling asleep in this case will be difficult. Therefore, lenses are recommended to be removed. For their storage, it is worth using a solution that can temporarily replace a special agent.

Salt water

So what is a substitute for lens solution? You can use an analogue of saline, which was prepared at home. However, it is worth considering that the use of salt water can adversely affect products. Lenses often change in size. Products made of silicone hydrogel material are subject to such deformation. They swell in salt water.

To prepare such a solution, you will need:

• salt - 9 grams;
• water - 1 liter;
• container that closes well.

The choice of components should be approached responsibly. First of all, it concerns salt. It must be free of impurities and pure.

Features of the use of salt water

What can replace the lens solution? First of all, it will work. Basic components can be found in any home. However, it is worth considering some nuances to make the solution the most effective:

How to make salt water

How to replace the solution for contact lenses, figured out. It remains to learn how to properly prepare salt water. First of all, you need to prepare a container. To do this, it should not only be thoroughly washed with detergents, but also boiled. This procedure should be carried out with all the tools that will be used in the process of preparing the solution.

Pour 1 liter of filtered water into the prepared container. After that, in small volumes, it is worth adding salt in stages. Each new portion of this component is introduced only after the previous one has been dissolved.

The finished solution should be cooled, and then poured into a container. Lenses are recommended to be mechanically cleaned and placed in salt water. After that, the container must be well closed. Putting on lenses after using salt water should be done carefully. If the products are deformed or discomfort is felt, then the products are recommended to be removed.

The use of saline

What can replace the solution for lenses if there is no clean water or salt without impurities at hand? In this case, saline solution is ideal. It will be better than using homemade salt water. The saline is perfect. To store contact lenses in such a tool, you must:

• sterilize the container and all the necessary tools in water;
• pour saline into the prepared container;
• clean the lenses and place in a container with the product;
• the container should be tightly closed to reduce contact with air.

This method has a high level of safety for products. The main drawback of saline is that not everyone has it in their home first aid kit.

Should I use eye drops?

How to replace lens solution at home? If the multi-purpose solution is over, then you can use eye drops that have a moisturizing effect. The main advantage of this method is that there is no risk of damaging or deforming the product. This will keep the lenses well hydrated and in the correct salt-to-liquid ratio. However, the use of eye drops does not guarantee disinfection, so there is a possibility of infection. You can replace the multi-purpose solution with the following drugs:

• "Vizin" is a pure tear, which is not only recommended by experts, but also has a natural plant-based composition.
• "Stillavit" is a good combination of hyaluronic acid, D-panthenol and other chemicals.
• "Inoksa" - eye drops of a blue tint, which are based on natural ingredients.
• "Oxial" is an Italian drug, which contains hyaluronic acid.
• "Oftagel" is a drug designed to replenish the lacrimal fluid.
• "Natural tear" - a domestic drug used to moisturize the eyes.
• "Vizomitin" - multifunctional eye drops.

Those who wear lenses often have the drugs listed above in their first aid kit. Such drops can also be found among those who spend a lot of time at the computer, since such work requires regular moistening of the organs of vision. In addition, the preparations do not take up much space and do not require constant storage in the refrigerator. Medicines in containers equipped with a dispenser are much more convenient to use.

Saliva

What can replace contact lens solution while traveling? For such purposes, many use saliva. This liquid is suitable for temporary storage of products. It is worth noting that saliva is a homogeneous substance that does not harm the lenses and does not cause side effects when wearing them. In addition, the composition of such a liquid is similar to a natural tear, and this allows you to protect products from drying out. The main disadvantage of saliva is the presence of microbes in it.

Distilled water

How to replace the lens solution at night? If the above methods are not suitable, then distilled water can be used. This method should only be used as a last resort. Distilled water will only keep the products from drying out.

After such storage, the lenses should not be used immediately. You need to put them in a multi-purpose solution. Only then can the product be used for its intended purpose.

Why distilled water is not good for long-term lens storage

Such a liquid only allows you to protect products from drying out. However, the negative impact on the lenses is still there. Products can be deformed and change in size. This, in turn, causes a feeling of discomfort. In addition, the diopter of the lenses is transformed, and vision, on the contrary, is scattered. When the focus changes, a person may experience discomfort.

Storing products in distilled water not only deforms the lenses, but also does not destroy pathogenic microbes. When putting on accessories, a person may experience burning and itching. Often, redness appears and lacrimation increases. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry a multifunctional contact lens solution with you at all times.

Some of those who wear contact lenses may have experienced a situation where there was no special solution on hand. Have you gone to nature with an overnight stay or are you traveling for a day on a train, but have you forgotten the liquid or is it over? There is no pharmacy nearby, sleeping in lenses is not an option? The situation is rather unpleasant. Can the problem be solved?

For storage, it is not in vain that a special multifunctional solution is used. It not only saves lenses, but also disinfects them. This point is very important, because it is very easy to infect the eye.

Those methods that we will offer will only allow you to save the lenses themselves, but not to disinfect. They categorically cannot be put in a dry container, because they will dry out and deform. And even the proposed methods are recommended to be used only in the most extreme cases!

So, a multi-purpose, moisturizing and disinfecting liquid can be replaced with such solutions.

Distilled water with salt

Such a solution is a little close in composition to a tear, therefore it is able to save the lenses for some time. The proportion is 0.9 grams of salt (regular without iodine and other additives) per 100 ml of water.

First, disinfect the container in boiling water, in which you then place the lenses. Then pour 100 ml of water (preferably filtered) into a saucepan, boil and sprinkle salt in small portions. It is important that each subsequent portion is added only after the previous one is completely dissolved.

Cool the solution and pour it into a disinfected container, and then put the lenses there. Close the "container" tightly, if there is no lid, then cover it with a paper sheet.

Remember that from such a solution (as well as from ordinary water), lenses can swell, especially silicone hydrogel.

Saline solution (pharmacy solution of sodium chloride 0.9%)

About 15 years ago, when the lenses were more rigid, and special solutions for them had not yet been imported, many people used saline for storage.

But physiological saline does not have cleaning and disinfecting properties, so even then the lenses were only stored in it, but sterilized by boiling.

Eye drops

Another relatively safe method that can be resorted to as a last resort. Use various moisturizing drops that save our eyes from dry eye syndrome, for example. They will also cope with moisturizing the lenses.

Of course, this option is not suitable for disinfection.

Saliva

The most undesirable, but still acceptable, in extreme cases, option. If there are no suitable drops on hand, and it is not possible to prepare a saline solution, you can put contact lenses in your own saliva. It contains substances natural for the body that will not damage the lenses. But resorting to this method, I repeat, is categorically not recommended: microbes!

Boiled water

Boiled water is comparable to saliva. It will save the lenses from drying out, but will not kill germs and may even add them. But good for conservation.

Note that with allergies, hypersensitivity of the eyes, suppuration, and other such liquids, it is better not to use them.

Important!

• The lenses that you put in these solutions should not be put on immediately. If you can’t do without them, then after you put them on, carefully listen to your feelings. If you feel even the slightest dryness or discomfort, immediately remove it.
• As soon as you get to the pharmacy or home, be sure to transfer the lenses from temporary solutions to a special one and leave them there for 2-3 hours to clear the infection.

How to avoid travel problems?

Purchase a contact lens travel kit and carry it with you at all times. It is not expensive at all, takes up little space, but it has a small bottle for the solution.

On a trip, you can buy one-day contact lenses, for which a solution is not needed at all. They are quite budget friendly.

Let us remind you once again that all these “recipes” can be resorted to only as a last resort, when there is no way to find a purchased solution.

Prepared using materials: linzopedia.ru, linza.com.ua, medglaza.ru, viewangle.net.