Cleaning solution

bostondaniel · #1 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 07:27 AM

Hi,

I' new to wearing contacts - started about 2 weeks ago. I've been prescribed Acuvue Oasys and Alcon OPTI-FREE Replenish solution to clean the lenses in the morning and at night. My question is- do I need to use opt-free replenish solution or can I use different one? If so, which one?

lurker2010 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 09:18 AM

Check with your eye doctor. Different people do better with different solutions.

I think the older Opti-free product is available as store brands. AFAIK the newer Opti-free Replenish is only available as a brand name.

I think the opti website is offering $2 coupons.

You could try different brands but I wouldn't look for trouble. Something works for you stick with it. Not worth the savings if your lenses aren't as comfortable near the end of the day.

StairMaster71 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Hi,

I'm new to wearing contacts - started about 2 weeks ago. I've been prescribed Acuvue Oasys and Alcon OPTI-FREE Replenish solution to clean the lenses in the morning and at night. My question is- do I need to use opt-free replenish solution or can I use different one? If so, which one?

Greetings bostondaniel. Are you from Boston?

Allow me to introduce you to a very useful tool. It's called the Staining Grid. When you put any kind of contact lens in your eye, it scratches your cornea a little bit. An eye doctor can put a special dye or "stain" in your eye to see how badly scratched your eye is. The worse the scratching, the more stain is observed. This chart will show you how much staining was observed with various products used to clean your Acuvue Oasys contacts. Green squares are best.

http://staininggrid.com/

Looking at the chart, it seems as though Acuvue Oasys works quite well with just about any solution on the chart. The best are Clear Care and Biotrue. Two hours after wearing Oasys lenses cleaned with one of these two solutions, only 1 percent or less of the cornea's surface was seen to be stained. Opti-Free Replenish scored very well, too, and so you can probably stick with that.

I hope that helps.

lurker2010 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 10:05 AM

Hydrogen peroxide, such as ClearCare, is generally regarded as one of the best methods of disinfection. Hypo-allergenic. Low staining scores (PP made a good point).

Some MPS, including Opti-free Replenish includes an ingredient that improves comfort of the lens during the course of the day. Not sure if it can be called a moisturizer or lubricant but basically for some people with some lenses it improves the comfort of the lens near the end of the day.

Snowflake · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

Hydrogen peroxide, such as ClearCare, is generally regarded as one of the best methods of disinfection. Hypo-allergenic. Low staining scores (PP made a good point).

Some MPS, including Opti-free Replenish includes an ingredient that improves comfort of the lens during the course of the day. Not sure if it can be called a moisturizer or lubricant but basically for some people with some lenses it improves the comfort of the lens near the end of the day.

Thanks lurker2010. The information was very helpful. Especially the part about the "comfort ingredient." I think bostondaniel will find it helpful too.

Blueyedblond · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Hi,

I' new to wearing contacts - started about 2 weeks ago. I've been prescribed Acuvue Oasys and Alcon OPTI-FREE Replenish solution to clean the lenses in the morning and at night. My question is- do I need to use opt-free replenish solution or can I use different one? If so, which one?

Ask your eye doctor about Clear Care. (I sound like a commercial.

) I've read a lot of good things about it here.

bostondaniel · #7 (**permalink**) 09-24-2010, 11:55 AM

Thanks for answering my question. The answers are definitely helpful.

The reason I asked is because I'm thinking about changing Opti-free Replenish to something else as I read (based on Amazon reviews for instance) that many people experience red eyes because of it.

I'm not sure whether it is because of weird sleep patterns or because of the formula that I have rather more than usual red eyes so I would like to start eliminating the cause.

Columbia · #8 (**permalink**) 09-24-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Thanks for answering my question. The answers are definitely helpful.

The reason I asked is because I'm thinking about changing Opti-free Replenish to something else as I read (based on Amazon reviews for instance) that many people experience red eyes because of it.

I'm not sure whether it is because of weird sleep patterns or because of the formula that I have rather more than usual red eyes so I would like to start eliminating the cause.

So you're saying that people have been reporting red eyes when they clean their contacts with Opti-Free?

bostondaniel · #9 (**permalink**) 09-24-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Columbia

So you're saying that people have been reporting red eyes when they clean their contacts with Opti-Free?

Yes, check out amazon.com/Opti-Free-Replenish-Contact-Solution-10-Ounce/product-reviews/B001ET6Y60/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filte rBy=addOneStar and there are numerous blog posts/comments when googling. Obviously, I am aware that this isn't the case for everyone but I just want to be safe.

madeinshades · #10 (**permalink**) 09-24-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Yes, check out amazon.com/Opti-Free-Replenish-Contact-Solution-10-Ounce/product-reviews/B001ET6Y60/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filte rBy=addOneStar and there are numerous blog posts/comments when googling. Obviously, I am aware that this isn't the case for everyone but I just want to be safe.

Thanks for posting that extremely long link, bostondaniel. I think Lens 101 members will find it useful.

lurker2010 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Thanks for answering my question. The answers are definitely helpful.

The reason I asked is because I'm thinking about changing Opti-free Replenish to something else as I read (based on Amazon reviews for instance) that many people experience red eyes because of it.

I'm not sure whether it is because of weird sleep patterns or because of the formula that I have rather more than usual red eyes so I would like to start eliminating the cause.

The question isn't if many people get red eyes when using Opti-free Replenish (or any other solution). The question is if you get red eyes when using a product. There is no substitute for following the recommendations of your eye doctor and personal experience

Hydrogen peroxide products such as ClearCare generally do the best job at disinfection. It's hypoallergenic. After neutralized the solution is sterile saline. Unlikely to have issues.

Knotlob · #12 (**permalink**) 09-25-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeinshades

Thanks for posting that extremely long link, bostondaniel. I think Lens 101 members will find it useful.

Thanks for that link bostondaniel. Most interesting. Seems a lot of the contact lens wear problems are solution related. Clear Care/AOSept seems to offer less potential problems, although you loose flexibility of disinfection since you need to sterilise/neutralise 6 hours with these peroxide systems (unless you are in Europe and can buy a catalase neutraliser solution, which works in 10-20 minutes.

knotlob

ReTina · #13 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The question isn't if many people get red eyes when using Opti-free Replenish (or any other solution). The question is if you get red eyes when using a product. There is no substitute for following the recommendations of your eye doctor and personal experience

Hydrogen peroxide products such as ClearCare generally do the best job at disinfection. It's hypoallergenic. After neutralized the solution is sterile saline. Unlikely to have issues.

Thank you for that helpful information, lurker2010.

Snowflake · #14 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

The question isn't if many people get red eyes when using Opti-free Replenish (or any other solution). The question is if you get red eyes when using a product. There is no substitute for following the recommendations of your eye doctor and personal experience

That's true lurker, but if I'm getting red eyes from Replenish, for example, and a lot of other people did too, then maybe the problem is the solution and not the user. However if 99% of the people who use it report no problems like the ones I'm theoretically having, then maybe I need to find out what I'm doing wrong.

StairMaster71 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Hi,

I' new to wearing contacts - started about 2 weeks ago. I've been prescribed Acuvue Oasys and Alcon OPTI-FREE Replenish solution to clean the lenses in the morning and at night. My question is- do I need to use opt-free replenish solution or can I use different one? If so, which one?

So how's it going Bostondaniel? Are your contacts coming clean?

lurker2010 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

That's true lurker, but if I'm getting red eyes from Replenish, for example, and a lot of other people did too, then maybe the problem is the solution and not the user. However if 99% of the people who use it report no problems like the ones I'm theoretically having, then maybe I need to find out what I'm doing wrong.

You may not be doing anything wrong. You may be in the 1% group.

bettydaviseyes · #17 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

You may not be doing anything wrong. You may be in the 1% group.

That's an excellent point, lurker2010.

ReTina · #18 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StairMaster71

So how's it going Bostondaniel? Are your contacts coming clean?

We haven't heard from Bostondaniel in quite a while, have we?

madeinshades · #19 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReTina

We haven't heard from Bostondaniel in quite a while, have we?

We can only hope that Bostondaniel is doing well and not searching Lens 101 for answers any more. I just wish he or she would come back to Lens 101 and let us know if the suggestions given here actually worked. Maybe there's some valuable experience to be shared.

Columbia · #20 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostondaniel

Yes, check out amazon.com/Opti-Free-Replenish-Contact-Solution-10-Ounce/product-reviews/B001ET6Y60/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filte rBy=addOneStar and there are numerous blog posts/comments when googling. Obviously, I am aware that this isn't the case for everyone but I just want to be safe.

I went to that review on Amazon.com, and here's the score currently for this product:

32 Reviews:

5 star: 18
4 star: 5
3 star: 0
2 star: 1
1 star: 8

So it would seem that more than half of the people who wrote reviews for Opti-Free Replenish contact lens solution gave it five stars, the highest possible rating.

Blueyedblond · #21 (**permalink**) 12-02-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Columbia

I went to that review on Amazon.com, and here's the score currently for this product:

32 Reviews:

5 star: 18
4 star: 5
3 star: 0
2 star: 1
1 star: 8

So it would seem that more than half of the people who wrote reviews for Opti-Free Replenish contact lens solution gave it five stars, the highest possible rating.

That sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. Especially coming from "real people" rather than advertisers.

Kind of like Lens 101.

madeinshades · #22 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueyedblond

That sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. Especially coming from "real people" rather than advertisers.

Kind of like Lens 101.

Yeah, just like Lens 101. Does anyone use the "star" rating system on this site for threads? You know--give the thread however many stars you think it deserves?

ReTina · #23 (**permalink**) 12-22-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeinshades

Yeah, just like Lens 101. Does anyone use the "star" rating system on this site for threads? You know--give the thread however many stars you think it deserves?

I give this thread four stars for it's length, wealth of information and friendly tone. It's also got a great beat and you can dance to it.

madeinshades · #24 (**permalink**) 01-20-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReTina

I give this thread four stars for it's length, wealth of information and friendly tone. It's also got a great beat and you can dance to it.

Fantastic. Rock on, ReTina.

ReTina · #25 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madeinshades

Fantastic. Rock on, ReTina.

Oh yeah! Rock On!

Columbia · #26 (**permalink**) 02-18-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueyedblond

That sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. Especially coming from "real people" rather than advertisers.

Kind of like Lens 101.

I'm glad you found the review helpful. I agree that Lens 101 is a good place to get unbiased reviews. You'll see some posts now and then where someone absolutely hates the lenses they bought. There are also, unfortunately, some posts where people say some really dumb things about not throwing away their contacts when they're supposed to.

ReTina · #27 (**permalink**) 03-04-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Columbia

There are also, unfortunately, some posts where people say some really dumb things about not throwing away their contacts when they're supposed to.

I guess you have to just take posts like that with a grain of salt, and make sure you post a comment correcting the error.

Here's a grain of salt in case you need one.