Contact Lenses - Alcon makes lenses comfortable and lens care easy.

One of the most important steps for successfully wearing contact lenses is taking care of them properly. In fact, it is important to realize that all contact lens care products are not the same. Thanks to recent advances in technology, lens care for contact lenses can be extremely simple and can also provide unbelievable comfort throughout the day.

     Soft Lens Care

     Hard / RGP Lens Care

     Cleaners

     Comfort Drops

     Other products from ALCON

     Refractive Errors

     Types of Contact Lenses

     Inserting and Removing your Lenses

     Frequently Asked Questions

OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution

The Opti-FREEdom to live life with comfortable lenses!

OPTI-FREE Multi-Action Solution is a multi-purpose lens care solution for the cleaning, rinsing, storing, lubricating and disinfection of disposable and all soft contact lenses.

OPTI-FREE Multi-Action Solution removes protein deposits during the cleaning, disinfecting and storing stages.

Product Benefits:

       Effective disinfection against a wide range of organisms

       Effective cleaning agent

Citrate, through the process of ionic displacement, effectively cleans contact lenses. It removes protein on lenses during cleaning and while they soak

       Minimal sensitivity

Formulated and preserved with POLYQUAD®, which has proven low potential for sensitivity.

       Compatible with disposable and all soft contact lenses
Will not bind to lens surface or discolour lenses.

       Enhances compliance

Simple to use.

In recent laboratory studies, OPTI-FREE Multi-Action Solution was more effective in removing protein deposits than other leading brands.

It is the perfect partner for OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner.

OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution contains 0,001% (m/v) POLYQUAD®.

Reg. No. X/34/342

OPTI-PLUS® Active Cleaner

Just one drop keeps lenses feeling like new longer.

OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner is a revolutionary enzymatic cleaner that simultaneously cleans and refreshes disposable, soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses while disinfecting in a compatible multi-purpose solution.

OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner is preservative free.

Product Benefits:

  Convenient
Simultaneously cleans and removes protein while disinfecting lenses in a compatible multi-purpose solution

  Quick and easy lens care

Simpler and more convenient to use than weekly enzyme tablets

Use nightly, one drop in each lens well

  Effective Protein Removal

Daily protein removal is the optimum frequency. Pancreatin has over fifteen years proven efficacy in the removal of protein

Clinically and microscopically clean lenses – Provides the superior cleaning power of pancreatin - an enzyme you won't find in any multi-purpose solution.

  Improves lens-wearing comfort.

Keeps lenses feeling like new every day. OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner keeps lenses clean, so that they are more comfortable to wear.

Keeps lenses feeling comfortable the entire time you wear
them

OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner has proven efficacy and compatibility when used with:

·         Disposable and Soft Contact Lenses:

• OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution.

Try it. Feel it. Believe it! Your lenses should be the last things on your mind!

People who used OPTI-PLUS Active Cleaner for six months said their lenses still felt as good as lenses less than a week old.

Each night, just add one drop to OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution.

THE AMAZING LENS REVITALISER FOR ALL SOFT CONTACT LENSES

OPTI-PLUSâ Active Cleaner – contains 1700AU soluble porcine pancreatin per ml.

Reg. No 31/34/0652

RGP and Hard Lenses:

OPTI-SOAK® Conditioning and Disinfecting Solution

Opti-Soak is different from other systems.

It is specially formulated to help make your RGP lenses comfortable.

OPTI-SOAK Conditioning and Disinfecting Solution is formulated for the wetting, soaking and disinfection of all rigid gas permeable and hard contact lenses.

Product Benefits:

       Improves lens wearing comfort

·         Enhances the wettability characteristics of RGP and hard contact lenses.

·         Thicker than many other conditioning solutions - designed to provide more cushioning and comfort

·         Provides lasting comfort during lens wear

·         High lens retention with optimal viscosity

       Broad anti-microbial spectrum

·         Prevents the growth of micro-organisms while lenses are stored

·         Tough on common ocular pathogens; but gentle on eyes

·         Very well tolerated even by the most sensitive lens wearers

       Convenient

One-step conditioning and disinfecting solution.

OPTI-SOAK is the only wetting and soaking solution for RGP lenses to contain POLYQUAD®, the highly effective non-sensitising, non-irritating disinfectant.

The result is clean, comfortable lenses.

OPTI-SOAK® Conditioning and Disinfecting Solution contains contains polyvinyl alcohol 0,75g, hydroxyethyl cellulose 15 000 0,65g and polysorbate 80 0,005g per 100ml and 0,005% (m/v) polyquaternium-1 and 0,1% (m/v) edetate disodium as preservatives. 

Ref No. L531 (Act 101 1965).

All Lenses

OPTI-TEARS® Comfort Drops

OPTI-TEARS Comfort Drops are formulated as a gentle and effective eye lubricant and contact lens rewetting solution for use in the eye with all contact lenses.

OPTI-TEARS Moistens soft contact lenses, prolonging comfortable wear without causing lens discolouration.

Product Benefits:

       Improves lens wearing comfort

Contains special polymers that rewet and hydrate lens providing prolonged retention time

       Clears lenses

Moistens lenses during wear

Near natural wetting without stickiness or blurred vision

       Provides comfort to dry, tired or irritated eyes

Moistens and refreshes eyes and contact lenses during
wear

Soothes tired, uncomfortable eyes

       Ideal for sensitive eyes

Formulated with POLYQUAD, which has low potential for sensitization

Cost effective 15ml multi-dose presentation

Soothing comfort drop suitable for all lens types

OPTI-TEARS® Comfort Drops contains 1mg/ml Dextran 70 as wetting agent and 0,001% (m/v) POLYQUAD® and disodium edetate 0,1% (m/v) as preservatives. 

Reg. No. X/34/67.

More High-Quality Contact Lens Care Products

OPTI-FREE® Daily Cleaner

Easy rinse daily cleaner with polymeric beads for removing stubborn deposits without damaging the lens surface. This daily cleaner is an excellent way to maintain clean, comfortable lenses. Its milky colour encourages complete cleaner removal. Available in 12ml and 24ml formats.

OPTI-FREE Daily Cleaner contains 25mg polymeric beads pre ml and 0,001% POLYQUAD and disodium edetate 0,1% (m/v) as preservatives.  Reg. No. X/34/18.

OPTI-FREE® Enzymatic Cleaner

·         Removes protein, lipid and mucin. 

·         Single tablet for easy, one-step enzymatic cleaning and disinfecting of soft contact lenses.

·         Pancreatin-based with triphasic action on lipids, mucin and proteins. Papain- and subtilisin-free multi-action enzymatic cleaner.

·         Available in boxes of 12’s and 24’s

OPTI-FREE Enzymatic Cleaner contains 1,25mg purified pancreatin per tablet. 

Reg. No. 28/34/0225.

Your Vision

Refractive Errors

Contact lenses can help correct refractive errors such as astigmatism, presbyopia, nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia).

Astigmatism is characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea, which causes light images to focus on two separate points in the eye, creating a distorted image. Symptoms range from visual discomfort in mild cases, to severe blurring and distortion similar to a reflection in a funhouse mirror.

Contact lenses designed to correct this condition are fitted to each individual. The misshapen cornea is measured and special toric lenses are used to direct light rays to one spot on the retina.

Due to their firm design, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses offer a high degree of corrective ability for this condition. In many cases, RGP lenses do not need a complicated toric design, because they are able to compensate for the irregularly shaped cornea.

Presbyopia develops as the eye’s lens grows older and begins to lose the elasticity needed to switch focus between viewing near and far objects. Also known as ‘ageing eye,’ this condition actually starts at about age 10, though most people do not begin to experience its effects until their forties. As the eye’s lens continues to lose its elasticity, the eye takes longer to adjust between objects such as the road and the speedometer.

Half-glasses or bifocals used to be the only answer for people with presbyopia. Today, there are a number of contact lenses that can correct this condition. These lenses include multi-focal contacts and specialized fitting techniques such as monovision.

Nearsightedness (Myopia) occurs when the eyeball is long, or the eye’s focusing mechanism (the cornea and lens) is too powerful, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina. People with this condition can see near objects clearly, but not ones at a distance.

Lenses made to correct this common condition are thinner in the center than at the edges to redirect light rays to the retina. These lenses are called ‘minus’ or concave lenses.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia) occurs when the eyeball is too short from the back, or the eye’s focusing mechanism is too weak, causing light rays to focus behind, rather than on the retina. People with hyperopia have difficulty seeing near objects clearly, such as words in a book.

In order to correct this vision problem, opticians prescribe convex or ‘plus’ lenses. These lenses have thick centers and thin edges.

Types of Contact Lenses

There are two main types of contact lenses:

Soft Contact Lenses are water absorbing, flexible, plastic lenses that sit on the surface of the cornea. This category includes disposable and daily care lenses.

Hard Contact Lenses are hard, rigid lenses that do not absorb water. This category includes Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses. RGP lenses are plastic, semi-rigid lenses that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to penetrate them.

All types of contact lenses provide places where dirt, bacteria, chemicals and eye secretions can collect. These deposits start to build up as soon as you start wearing your lenses and, although you cannot see them, they can cause eye infections or permanent injury. Therefore, it is important for your long-term comfort and visual acuity that you learn to care for your contact lenses correctly.

The successful wearing of your contact lenses is dependent on regular cleaning, disinfecting, neutralizing, protein removal and rinsing procedures. Though this might sound complicated, Alcon® makes caring for your lenses fast and easy.

Inserting and Removing Your Lenses

Checking if your lens is right side out

Correct                                                           Incorrect

If the edges of your lens turn out, it is inside out. To correct this, apply a few drops of OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution on your lens and reverse it.

Inserting your lens

Close nearby drains.

• Pour the right lens and storage solution from the case into your palm. (It is a good idea to get in the habit of always working with the right lens first to avoid mix-ups).
• Make sure your fingers are clean and dry. (Dry fingers facilitate the handling since soft contact lenses tend to stick to wet fingers.)
• Place the right lens on the tip of your index finger.
• Using the middle finger of your other hand, pull and hold your upper lid so you cannot blink.
• Pull down your lower eyelid, using the middle finger of your inserting hand.
• Look up and place the lens gently on the lower white part of your eye.
• Look down to position the lens correctly.
• Slowly release your eyelid and close your eye for a moment.
• Blink several times to center the lens on your eye.
• Sometimes, small dust particles trapped behind the lens during its placement can cause discomfort. To remove dust, slide the lens off and then back onto your cornea.
• Insert left lens following the same procedure.

Removing your lens

Wash and dry your hands. Close drain.

• Make sure your lens is centered.
• Looking up, pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of your inserting hand.
• Bring your index finger close to your eye until you touch the lower edge of the lens.
• Slide the lens down to the lower white part of your eye.
• Gently squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger and remove it from your eye.
• Follow the lens care procedures recommended by your eye-care professional.
• Remove left lens following same procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Contact Lens Care

Which daily cleaner should I use with OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution?

OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution cleans, rinses, disinfects and stores your lenses. OPTI-FREE® Daily Cleaner may be used should your practitioner recommend it. However, we have introduced another product, OPTI-PLUS® Active Cleaner, that keeps lenses feeling like new.

Can I use OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution with a cleaner or a protein remover from another company?

We only have information on the compatibility of our own products. Hence, we recommend that Alcon products be used together.

I wear soft or disposable contact lenses. How do I use OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution and OPTI-PLUS® Active Cleaner properly?

Fill both compartments of your contact lens case with OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution. Then add 1 drop of OPTI-PLUS® to both compartments and gently swirl the solutions together. Remove your contact lenses and clean them with OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution by placing 1 or 2 drops on each lens surface and rubbing for at least 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution and store in OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight for complete disinfection. Rinse your lenses with OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution again before inserting them in your eyes.

Does OPTI-PLUS® Active Cleaner replace daily cleaning?

No. OPTI-PLUS® is a daily protein remover. You still need to clean your lenses on a daily basis. If you wear soft or disposable lenses, you can use OPTI-FREE® Multi-Action Solution to clean and disinfect your lenses. If your lenses are hard or gas permeable, you can use OPTI-FREE® Daily Cleaner and OPTI-SOAK® Conditioning and Disinfecting Solution.

If I am removing the protein from my lenses on a daily basis with

OPTI-PLUS®, do I still need to use the weekly protein remover tablets?

OPTI-PLUS® Active Cleaner and OPTI-FREE® Enzymatic tablets are both protein removers. OPTI-PLUS® is a liquid daily protein remover whereas OPTI-FREE® Enzymatic tablets are weekly protein removers. You can use one or the other. You do not have to use both concomitantly.

Will my lenses feel cleaner if I use more than one drop of OPTI-PLUS®?

No. Research studies have shown that one single drop of OPTI-PLUS® Active cleaner is all that you need to make your lenses feel as clean as a brand new pair of lenses.

Only Alcon® products contain patented Polyquad® anti-microbial agent - proven safe and effective, even for lens wearers who have sensitive eyes