Cleaning orthoK contact lenses

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Please note: These cleaning instruction are for use by patients of Highbury Optometrists. You should follow the instructions given to you by your own optometrist.

OrthoK contact lenses should be cleaned each morning, after you remove your lenses. It is best to remove and clean only one contact lens at a time to avoid mixing up which is right and left

Before handling your contact lenses, always wash your hands with a plain soap that does not contain moisturiser or fragrance.

There are two methods of cleaning orthok lenses. These cleaning methods can be used for any RGP or hard contact lens.

Easy lens cleaning

1) Daily clean
Place the contact lens in the palm of your hand, concave surface facing upwards. Add a small amount of Menicare Plus solution and rub for 30 seconds. You can apply gentle pressure but pushing too hard will break or crack the contact lens. Place the lens in the Menicon barrel case. Menicare Plus is safe for your eyes so no additional rinsing solution is required.

2) Weekly progent clean
Progent cleaning (see below) should be carried out weekly, at the weekend is usually easiest.

Traditional lens cleaning

1) Surfactant clean
Place the contact lens in the palm of your hand, concave surface facing upwards. Apply 2-3 drops of Ote daily cleaner and rub for 30 seconds. You can apply gentle pressure but pushing too hard will break or crack the contact lens.

2) Rinse The daily cleaner must be rinsed off well or it can sting your eyes if any remains on the contact lens. Rinse over a bathroom sink, but first, make sure the plug is in! Hold the lens carefully using fingertips and rinse each side of the lens using sterile saline. Flip the lens over to rinse the other side. You should repeat this a few times to ensure all traces of cleaner are removed from the lens. Do not use tap water for rinsing lenses.

3) Soak Once the lens is well rinsed, place it carefully in the correct side of the Menicon barrel case, and fill with Menicare Plus soaking solution. The lenses will stay soaking in this throughout the day, but this solution should be changed daily.

4) Regular progent cleaning
Progent cleaning (see below) should be carried out either 1 or 2 monthly. As the lenses get older you may need to do this more frequently.

Progent cleaning

Progent is a very strong cleaner and is toxic, so should be handled with care and kept well out of reach of children. Progent can be used in different ways, but we normally recommend using it about once every two months. There are two vials marked 'A' and 'B'. You need to mix both an 'A' and a 'B' vial together in the round tub like case. Lenses are placed in the right and left holders and then close the case. Leave the case for no more than one hour, then repeat the normal rinsing, cleaning and soaking steps above.

Contact lens case

After inserting the contact lenses at night empty the old solution from the case and rinse using saline. During the night the contact lens case should be left in a clean safe place to air dry.

Contact lens cases can be a source of bacteria that causes eye infections. Cases should be treated as carefully and hygienically as you would the contact lenses. Contact lens cases should be replaced every two months.

If your eyes become, RED, SORE, and BLURRY, remove your contact lenses and contact us.