Why is it important to store lenses correctly?
If the rules for storing optical products are not followed, they lose their properties, become deformed, and deteriorate. As a result, a person cannot use them in the future without causing harm to health.
When placed overnight in a special solution poured into the accessory, the lenses are cleansed of lipid and fat deposits. This prevents eye inflammation and infections.
The last property of proper storage is convenience. In this form, the CL can be taken on a trip, a business trip, or to unusual places. When the product is no longer needed, it is easy to remove and put away without losing it.
The additional antibacterial effect reduces the spread of bacteria on the surface of the “films” and prevents the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the organs of vision.
High-quality box material protects products from drying out, destruction, exposure to air, light, ultraviolet radiation and other factors.
“Seize the moment”: timely replacement of lenses
Ophthalmologists advise not to wear contact lenses beyond their expiration date, even if you don’t feel the slightest discomfort in your eyes. This is due to the fact that - regardless of care - the material of miniature vision correction devices changes properties due to interaction with organic ocular secretions and the external environment.
The eyes quickly get used to the lenses. When wearing the same pair for a long time, few people notice changes in the quality of vision, however, with the replacement of already familiar lenses with new ones, its sharpness significantly increases. Excessive wearing of lenses can cause serious damage to eye health.
However, the expiration date on the packaging of lenses does not mean that after this time they should be thrown away. On the contrary, this mark indicates that during this period the contact lenses are kept under sterile conditions.
Kinds
The most inexpensive type of storage container is horizontal, divided into two cells. The latter are designated by the English letters L, R and indicate where to place the right and left lenses. The price varies from 35 to 100 rubles depending on the manufacturer, the material used and the policy of the selling organization.
The average price (90-150 rubles) is typical for vertical accessories for better cleaning of products. They have the possibility of rotating installation.
A special type of containers are “designer” ones in the shape of a basketball or soccer ball, animals (butterflies, piglets, bear cubs), and edible products.
According to the storage features, the boxes are for universal purposes, for transportation and disinfection from microorganisms and cleansing from deposits of proteins and fats. When choosing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer, reputation, material used, tightness and reliability.
We recommend reading: How to replace a lens container
The cost is affected by additional functionality: metallized or antibacterial coating based on silver ions, timer.
Separate containers are not always presented in stores and pharmacies. They can come in a set with solutions for cleaning and storing lenses or in special boxes, where in addition to the product there are tweezers and containers for small volumes of liquids necessary for caring for contact lenses.
When using jars for solutions, you must sign them, indicating the name, date, and expiration date.
What types of containers are there?
There are several main types of such contact lens accessories.
Horizontal
These are the most common and common containers for storing cables. Among their advantages, it is worth noting availability (lowest price). There is a separate cell for each lens, and there is a convenient marking on the cover so as not to confuse the right and left lenses. This is especially true for those who have different diopters in different eyes.
Among the horizontal types you can find an option for every taste
Vertical
Vertical models have their advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, lenses can be easily damaged by placing them in a special holder. Secondly, to fill such a container, you need much more solution than for horizontal models. Thirdly, they cost an order of magnitude more.
The vertical model is suitable not only for storing lenses, but also for cleaning them with peroxide systems
Among the advantages, it is worth noting the best level of lens cleaning, which is achieved by a special scrolling mechanism for stacking lenses inside the container. Also, such containers are suitable not only for cleaning with a multifunctional solution, but also with peroxide systems. Some manufacturers supply their containers with a special catalyst, which promotes faster decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which reduces cleaning time from 10-12 to 6 hours.
With antibacterial coating
The best contact lenses for sensitive eyes
Some manufacturers have taken additional care of the safety of their customers and created models with an antibacterial inner coating of the container. The metal from which they are made contains inorganic silver ions, the antimicrobial effect of which has been known for a long time. But do not forget that this is only an additional measure of protection, and you will have to take care of such an accessory, just like a regular one.
Additional functions
Among the additional functions of the contact lens case, it is worth noting models with a timer that counts down the time until changing a new pair of contact lenses. There are also examples that are equipped with light vibration for better cleaning of the lens. Thus, it seems to be “erased” inside the container.
A model with a timer will help you avoid disrupting your scheduled lens replacement schedule.
Travel kits
A travel kit with a container, mirror and tweezers for contact lenses will be very convenient for contact lens users. You can easily take this organizer with you to work, for walks, or on trips, without carrying large jars of solution and other necessary things for removing and putting on lenses. An unexpected situation can happen anywhere and anytime. For example, on the way to work, a strong wind threw a lot of dust into your eyes, and you need to take off, wash and put on your CL. In this case, a small travel kit will be indispensable, containing everything you need (a container, a small container for several portions of the solution, tweezers, a suction cup and a mirror).
A travel kit for contact lenses is not only a very useful thing, but also very beautiful.
Container care
Proper, competent care will extend the life of the accessory and contact lenses.
After removing the CL from the cells, you need to pour out the cleaning solution, rinse it with fresh water, and air dry it. Before placing the products back, the accessory is treated with a special liquid. In this case, the use of tap water is unacceptable.
We recommend reading: How often to change your lens container
To remove stubborn dirt and deposits, it is necessary to carry out thermal cleaning once a week - with hot steam or boiling water.
Caring for the box includes timely replacement in case of loss of properties, damage to integrity or the end of its service life (up to 3 months).
How often do experts recommend changing the container?
Most experts agree that contact lens containers should be changed once a month or at least every three months, since over time dangerous bacteria accumulate on its walls, which can adversely affect vision. It is also important to replace it when purchasing other lenses. A person choosing contact correction products should take it as a rule: new lenses - new solution - new container. Usually there is no need to use the old one, since the container comes complete with the solution, and therefore using the old one is harmful to vision and pointless in terms of saving money.
Photo
Horizontal container
Vertical accessory
Designer boxes
Sets
Lenses: choosing your own wearing mode
Today there are a dozen types of contact lenses available. Based on their service life, they are divided into the following types:
- Classic (traditional) – used for 6-9 months. They can only be found in hydrogel version. The bottle for such lenses is always glass.
- Quarterly – used for 3 months. Usually available in the form of blisters (4-6 units per package). These lenses last for the same 6-9 months.
- Planned – used for no more than 1 month. This is the most popular category of lenses for vision correction. They are made from both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel. Supplied in packages of 3-6 blisters. The short period of use allows you not to worry too much about cleaning the lenses, because they do not have time to get dirty. To clean, a universal solution with the property of eliminating protein deposits and strictly following the instructions attached to it is enough.
- Frequent scheduled replacement - worn for 1-2 weeks. A short service life makes it possible to use material with a high moisture content, which has a positive effect on the condition of the eyes.
- One-day ones - put on in the morning and thrown away in the evening. They are considered the most harmless. Despite the high cost, savings on daily disposable lenses are achieved by eliminating the need to purchase additional equipment such as storage containers and cleaning solutions, since a completely sterile pair is worn every time.
Trends show that most people are focusing on disposable and daily disposable lenses. Traditional lenses are losing demand, so leading manufacturers have removed them from their product range.
Useful video
Unpacking and review of a container from a Chinese online store.
An important accessory for storing CLs is a box that ensures their safety, proper cleaning and preservation of properties. To do this, it is important to choose it correctly, care for it, and change it in a timely manner.
The type of container depends on the necessary functions: transportation, storage, disinfection, additional treatment of products with silver ions, etc. Additionally, it can be a stylish accessory that emphasizes the owner’s taste and status.
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Author of the article
Alexandrova O.M.
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2031
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The nuances of the service life of contact lenses
The service life of contact lenses is set by the manufacturer, indicated on the packaging or in the instructions (technical parameters).
The operating period depends on a combination of factors, among which the main place is occupied by the material and manufacturing technology. Thus, if the lenses are made of the same material, this does not mean that they have the same service life.
The specified period does not mean that the lens will serve properly to the end - it may lose its original properties due to careless care, contamination with cosmetics or improper use, or even become unusable due to rupture.
That is, the specified period is not a guarantee. It is set as recommended, after which you should definitely change lenses.
The main disadvantages of conventional glasses
Of course, you can give up the idea of using contact lenses at any time if you are afraid of “getting lost” among the variety of their types and types. However, before you decide to stay “in frames,” it won’t hurt to remember at least some of the negative aspects of constantly wearing glasses, including:
- rapid eye fatigue,
- frequent headaches,
- the need to move various objects at some distance from the eyes in order to see them well enough,
- difficulties in writing, reading,
- blurred vision, glare.
By the way, in such a wide range of contact lenses there is nothing terrible for you, which will be confirmed by your first consultation with a competent and qualified ophthalmologist.
