Whether for comfort or for economy, you may want to change your contact lens solution for a different brand or formula. Contact lens solution is typically made of the same materials, namely salt and water, for every brand, according to GP Contact Lenses. However if you have delicate eyes or a special type of contact lens, your optometrist may suggests a specific brand more suited to your individual situation. If you want to change, it's best to talk to your eye doctor first.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your optometrist for a check up. Changing your contact lenses is an ideal time to check up on your prescription and get new storage tools for your lenses. You may need a different solution because of sensitive eyes or delicate contacts, so talk to your optometrist and ask her for recommendations for contact lens solutions.
Step 2
Check for your favorite brand of contact lens solution against recent recalls. Time magazine reports that in 2007, contact lens solution Complete MoisturePlus was recalled as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked it to a severe eye disease known as acanthamoeba infection. Never use a recalled contact lens solution; your optometrist will be able to tell you whether a brand is safe or not.
Step 3
Replace your case at the same time that you switch contact lens solutions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends changing your contact lens case every three to six months. The cases can become dirty and unsterilized over time. They are relatively inexpensive and can make your new contact lens solution work more effectively.
Step 4
Avoid making your own contact lens solution. While the two ingredients in contact lens solution, water and salt, are common household ingredients, contact lens formulas are specially formulated and controlled for insertion in the eye. Homemade contact lens solutions should never be used, notes the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. In a pinch, it's better to discard contacts than to use a non-sterilized substance.
Step 5
Assess how the new contact lens solution feels in your eye. Consider things like comfort and ease of use. Remember that you should use contact lens solution exactly as directed each time you remove your contacts, so choose a new formula that is easy for you to use on a daily basis.
Things You'll Need
- Contact case
