People should take extra care when using contact lens solution with hydrogen peroxide.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to contact lens wearers, saying that incorrect use of cleaning solutions can increase your risk of eye infections and injury.

Like multipurpose solutions, when hydrogen peroxide is used in certain contact lens solutions, it helps to clean and disinfect contact lenses by breaking up and removing trapped debris, protein, and fatty deposits. Hydrogen peroxide solutions are preservative-free, which makes them a good option for those who are allergic or sensitive to preservatives in multipurpose solutions. But they are not entirely risk-free.

“You should never put hydrogen peroxide directly into your eyes or on your contact lenses,” FDA optometrist Bernard P. Lepri said in a statement. “That’s because this kind of solution can cause stinging, burning, and damage - specifically to your cornea (the clear surface that covers your eye).”

If you use a solution that has hydrogen peroxide, Lepri says contact wearers must follow the disinfecting process with a “neutraliser.”

A neutraliser is always sold as part of your hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution kit. It turns the peroxide into water and oxygen, making it safe to put lenses into your eyes. Before you use solution with hydrogen peroxide, read all warning labels and instructions.

Earlier this month (Aug16), the FDA released a report which cautioned against the unsafe use of contact lenses, such as sleeping with them in place or using the same pair for too long, as this behaviour is triggering serious eye injuries.

In the study, researchers analysed nearly 1,100 cases of eye infections related to use of contact lens that were reported to the FDA between 2005 and 2015.

According to the study, nearly one in five patients had either a scarred cornea, required a corneal transplant or had other types of eye damage because of the infection.

People should not keep their contact lenses in while sleeping, because doing so raises the risk of eye infection by six to eight times.

Checklist for solutions with hydrogen peroxide

-Talk to your eye-care provider before deciding on the best cleaning and disinfecting method for your contact lenses. Never change your lens-care system before consulting your provider.

-Before you use a new solution, read all instructions on the box and bottle and follow them carefully. If you have questions, stop and contact your eye-care provider.

-Never share solution that contains hydrogen peroxide. Other people might confuse your solution with multipurpose solution and not follow instructions. This could result in damage to their eyes.

-Always use the special contact lens case that comes with each new bottle of solution. Never use a case other than the one that comes with each new bottle.

-Leave contacts in the solution for at least six hours to allow the neutralising process to finish.

-Never rinse your contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions or put these solutions in your eyes.

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