During my most recent visit to the optometrist for an eye exam and contact lens reorder, I told my doctor my eyes were blurry and dry and seemed to become continually and progressively irritated over the years. At my last visit at a different office, the doctor had changed my lenses to a more “breathable” lens, but it only helped marginally. This doctor suggested using Ciba Vision’s Clear Care solution and gave me a trial kit to try for a week before a follow-up visit.
The Clear Care System
The system was a bit different than what I was used to. The lens case itself looks strange. It’s not a flat container with two indentations to place your lenses, as I have always used. It is a clear plastic case which looks almost like a clear film container. Inside there is a small gadget you pull out and place your lenses in, almost like a basket. It sits upright in the plastic container and air and liquid can flow through and around the contacts with ease.
Not only is the lens case different, so is the solution itself. On their official website, Ciba Vision states “with the exceptional cleaning action of hydrogen peroxide, Clear Care cleans and disinfects lenses like no multi-purpose solution can. Clear Care, with its triple-action power, bubbles to actively clean and remove protein from your lenses.” This is all in one easy step.
There is a little disk on the bottom of the gadget that holds the small lens baskets that is said to neutralize the solution. The solution needs to clean the lenses for a minimum of 6 hours not only to clean the lenses, but also to make the solution safe for your eyes. If you were to drop the solution directly from the bottle into your eyes, it would burn them very badly. The web site advises that “one of the first things that tells you Clear Care is different is the red ring around the bottle top. This “safety collar” is there as a reminder to you that Clear Care can burn or sting your eyes if you don’t use it the right way.” If you feel the lenses need to be rinsed before wearing them, a simple sterile saline solution is all that is required. They are fully cleaned and disinfected and only need a rinse if you suspect debris might be on the lenses.
My Opinion
At first I thought this solution would be very pricey because it seems to take a lot to fill the container, but a small trial size of only 4 ounces is only half gone after a full 7 days of using it. I have not had to purchase any saline solution. My doctor told me I can use whatever solution I have been using to rinse my lenses if I feel the need, which I have only done a couple times since first using this product.
The system certainly is unique, but I found it very easy to use. A new lens case is included with each purchase of Clear Care solution. This is not only to promote good hygiene and cleanliness (a fresh, sterile environment for your lenses) but also because the neutralizing disk does wear out eventually, and the special solution needs to be fully neutralized.
When you place the solution in the container and then put the gadget with the disk and your contact holders into the solution, you see it immediately fizz and bubble up for over an hour. I can see the liquid and air bubbles rushing past the contacts and this is supposed to be disinfecting them well.
After waiting at least 6 hours, the lenses are easy to remove from the case and insert into my eyes. I have noticed less dryness and more comfort with my lens wear after a week of using this solution.
I have seen the Clear Care in stores and the price is very comparable to other premium contact lens multi-purpose solutions at around an average of $8.50, without coupons. I am certainly willing to spend my money to make wearing my contacts more comfortable and easy, especially when the solution is very reasonably priced and high quality! I even got a $3.00 off coupon in my trial pack, which I certainly appreciate.
More Information
Clear Care is safe for all different types of contact lenses, including silicone hydrogel lenses such as PureVision (registered trademark) and Acuvue Oasys (registered trademark). Check with your eye care professional if you have any questions or concerns. Of course, always follow your doctor’s orders as well as any particular product information and be aware of any warnings the product may have.
Sources
personal experience Ciba Vision website Clear Care website
