First of all, what are gas permeable contact lenses? Gas permeable contact lenses are small lenses made out of a flexible plastic that are curved and durable, as defined as the University of Michigan Health System. The lenses float on the cornea in the tear film that lays on the surface of the cornea. Gas permeable contacts have many advantages over soft contact lenses. They are used to correct all sorts of vision problems. They are less expensive than soft contact lenses and they last longer, they can be polished and reground when scratched, and there are fewer cleaning solutions involved. Which leads to the next question: What are valuable cleaning methods for gas permeable contact lenses?

The Every Day

Gas permeable contacts, according to All About Vision, are easier to clean than soft contacts as they do not attract proteins as do soft contacts. The first stage in cleaning your contacts is to wash and dry your hands! Clean hands help keep bacteria and fuzz out of the eyes. The general cleaning methods for gas permeable contact lenses includes a light rubbing in a cleaning solution with an index finger. The lenses are then stored in a solution filled lens case with solution.

The As Needed

There may also be a need to use an enzymatic cleaner. This will keep proteins from building up on you lenses. While general cleaning takes place daily, enzymatic cleaning only needs to occur once a week. For those of you who find wearing contacts uncomfortable, there are rewetting solutions and drops that you can apply as needed. Contact lens cases should also be cleaned, rinsed and air-dried after each use.

Maintaining good cleaning methods for gas permeable contacts will help you keep your contacts comfortable and your eyes healthy.