You would think that a sterile saline solution might not have a lot of uses when you look at some of the ‘multi use’ or ‘one step’ products that are on the market for contact lens care. This was one of the first products that I used for breaking down enzyme tablets when distilled water was no longer a requirement. I really liked the fact that it was in an aerosol type can, it released the saline solution with a good bit of force and helped to break down the tablets quicker. This is also a great product to use after you disinfect your lenses and want to soak them a little longer. It’s something that every contact lens wearer should have on hand because it can be used, in a pinch, for storage, rehydration of lenses and rinsing after cleaning or using enzyme tablets.

Allergan Lens Plus Sterile Saline Solution

The 12 ounce bottle of Lens Plus has a suggested retail price of about $5.99 but you can find it for less at places like Wal-Mart and Target. I’ve come across a few sales that dropped the price to about $3.00 and I always keep my eyes peeled for promotional items that sometimes come attached to the bottle [lens case, rewetting drops etc]. This is a great alternative to the regular squeeze bottles and, for me at least, is easier to use when maintaining lenses. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only type of sterile saline solution that comes in an aerosol type package. Lens Plus is preservative free, contains no fluorocarbons, will not deplete the ozone layer and is not flammable.

What This Will Do

When used according to the manufacturer direction, this will rinse contact lenses after a disinfection or enzyme soaking. This can safely be used instead of a multi purpose cleaning solution and will work just as well to remove the cleaning compounds from the lenses. This can also be used after you have cleaned your contact lens cases to ensure that the case [inside and out] are free of any deposits from tap water. If you use an enzyme tablet to clean your lenses and allow them to soak overnight, you can do a quick change of the solution by pouring out the enzyme solution and replacing it with this product. I really like using this when I soak my lenses overnight, I can pop into the bathroom, spill out the solution, spray the inside of the vials with the Lens Plus and go back to bed without having to worry about the twelve hour time frame.

What This Won’t Do

This product will not disinfect or clean your lenses. You should use your regular cleaning solutions to ensure that your lenses are free of deposits or build up and to keep them clear of any potential bacterial. This should never be sprayed directly into your eye or used as an eye wash. As I mentioned above, the stream that comes out of the bottle is pretty strong and could cause some severe trauma and damage to the eye. If you are in an emergency situation and need to flush your eye, spray the sterile saline solution into a small cup then pour it into the eye. You could seriously injury your eye if this is sprayed into it so please avoid this at all costs. Make sure the direction of the spray nozzle is in the correct position and shoot a short burst into the sink to make sure that the saline flow isn’t blocked and that the tip is clear.

Uses

As previously mentioned, this is the perfect item to have on hand when cleaning lenses after disinfection or to help break down enzyme tablets. It’s a little more cost effective to use this than a multi purpose cleaner and is guaranteed sterile providing that you follow the instructions on the can. Also, please check inside the lid for a small fold out pamphlet that will give you more information about the product, what it can be used for and precautions and warnings. I use this for removing cleaning solutions, cleaning out the inside of my contact lens cases, when I need to quickly rehydrate my lenses or rinse them off and don’t have any drops or rewetting solution on hand. For about $4.00 - $4.50 a bottle, this is something that every contact lens wearer should have on hand.

Warnings

Just because this is a sterile saline solution doesn’t mean that it will be something that each and every person will be able to use safely. If you have ever had any reactions to contact lens solutions, please consult your optometrist or eye care practitioner before you start to use this. If you notice any type of irritation, swelling, stinging or burning after using this, please contact your eye care center immediately. You could be having an allergic reaction and might need to be seen by a doctor. Make sure the tip of the nozzle doesn’t come in contact with anything or you may run the risk of contaminating the tip. If this does happen, you can remove the nozzle and run it under a stream of hot water. Always replace the green snap on cap to keep the nozzle free of dust and dirt.

The Bottom Line

I really like the fact that the saline shoots out with a nice punch and helps to break down enzyme tablets – but at the same time it’s ozone friendly. The container is non-flammable but still need to be stored in a cool place. You should treat this like any other type of aerosol product [although this is not an aerosol] and discard it properly when the container is empty. If you wear contact lenses and are looking for a convenient and easy to use saline product for cleaning, rehydration and rinsing, I highly suggest checking out Allergan Lens Plus Sterile Saline Solution. You can also check with your optometrist to see if he or she has any sample bottle that you can try. I vaguely remember getting a small container of this [about 2 ounces] a few years ago when I tried out a new series of lenses.


As always, thanks for the read!

^V^ Freak ^V^

© 2003 Freak369


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Recommended: Yes