How long can you keep contact lens solution after opening?

Some contacts are made to wear daily, weekly, or even monthly. You should change out the solution each time you put in and take out your lenses. If you don’t wear them for a few days, you may store them in the same solution for the amount of time your lenses are built to last for (daily, weekly, or monthly). Always talk to your eye doctor if you have additional concerns. The maximum amount of time you should ever store lenses is 30 days.

When should you change contact lens solution?

You should change the contact solution each time you wear the contacts. You should never reuse solutions. Follow the instructions carefully on the back of your solution box.

Can you use contact lens solutions like eye drops?

You should not use contact lens solution as eye drops because the saline and chemical compound cleaners will harm your eye over time. The primary function of a solution is to break down bacteria and other grit and dirt that builds up on your lens. Use eye rewetting drops if you want to put something directly into your eye for comfort either before or after inserting contact lenses.

The 10 Best Contact Lens Solutions of 2023

Taking proper care of your contact lenses is important for keeping your eyes healthy and infection-free. Contact lens solution is traditionally used to store contact lenses when they’re not being worn, but some contact lens solutions can also clean and disinfect contact lenses.

There are three primary types of contact lens solutions: multipurpose solution, hydrogen peroxide-based solution, and rigid gas permeable solution. Multipurpose solution is an all-in-one solution that rinses, disinfects, and stores contact lenses, and it’s commonly used to store soft contact lenses. Hydrogen peroxide-based solution cleans, disinfects, and stores contact lenses, and it’s traditionally prescribed when someone has an allergy to multipurpose solutions. Hydrogen peroxide-based solutions need to be stored in a special case that transforms the liquid into saline solution, so that it doesn’t burn or sting the eyes. Rigid gas permeable lenses do not contain water and are mostly constructed out of silicone.

When buying contact lens solutions, look for active ingredients like boric acid, poloxamine, and sodium chloride. We researched dozens of contact lens solutions and evaluated them for active ingredients, price, whether it disinfects, and is gentle on the eyes.

Here are the best contact lens solutions on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Renu Bausch + Lomb Lens Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

COMPLETE Multi-Purpose Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Comfort:

Biotrue Bausch + Lomb Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Dry Eyes:

Opti-Free Puremoist Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Eyes:

Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Red Eyes:

Equate Saline Solution for Sensitive Eyes at Walmart

Jump to Review

Best for Scleral Lenses:

Clear Conscience Multi-Purpose Contact Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Rewetting Drops:

Refresh Contacts at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Preservative-Free:

Purilens Saline Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Travel:

ACUVUE RevitaLens Solution at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Health

4.9

Amazon

Pros

Conditions and disinfects
Kills 99.9% of germs
Hydrates lenses

Cons

May not be suitable for sensitive eyes

We chose Renu’s Bausch + Lomb Lens Solution as our top pick because it is a multipurpose contact lens solution that's suitable for soft contact lenses. In addition to storing contact lenses, the solution cleans, conditions, rinses, and disinfects. It cleans lenses by dissolving denatured proteins (proteins that are no longer useful) that have built up on the lenses.

Many contact lens solutions disinfect lenses, but Renu’s Bausch + Lomb Lens Solution kills 99.9% of germs in just four hours. Plus, it hydrates lenses for all-day comfort, providing up to 20 hours of moisture at a time.

Price at time of publication: $20

Active Ingredients: Boric acid and polyaminopropyl biguanide (0.00005%) | Use: To condition, store, and disinfect contact lenses

Amazon

Pros

Gentle on eyes
Affordable
Cleans and disinfects

Cons

Doesn’t mimic natural tears

Complete’s Multi-Purpose Solution is, like its name implies, a multipurpose contact lens solution suitable for soft contact lenses—but for half the price of many comparable products. It provides a balance of disinfection and comfort, keeping lenses clean while remaining gentle on the eyes.

Like many multipurpose contact solutions, Complete’s Multi-Purpose Solution dissolves denatured proteins and other debris on the lenses. After just six hours in Complete’s Multi-Purpose Solution, you can expect your lenses to be clean and ready to wear.

Price at time of publication: $26

Active Ingredients: Polyhexamethylene biguanide (0.0001%) | Use: To store, disinfect, and clean contact lenses

Amazon

Pros

Matches pH of healthy tears
Hydrates with hyaluronan (HA)
Multipurpose solution

Cons

Only for soft lenses

Biotrue’s Contact Lens Solution is a multipurpose solution suitable for soft contact lenses, including silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In addition to storing contact lenses, the solution conditions, cleans, rinses, and disinfects.

Biotrue’s Contact Lens Solution is designed to match the pH of healthy tears. This keeps the lenses comfortable while also minimizing irritation. Biotrue’s Contact Lens Solution also hydrates lenses using hyaluronan (HA), a lubricant found naturally in the eye. This system can keep your contacts moisturized for up to 20 hours at a time for comfortable, all-day wear.

Price at time of publication: $17

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronan, sulfobetaine, poloxamine, and boric acid | Use: Conditions, cleans, rinses, and disinfects contact lenses for all day wear

Amazon

Pros

Two disinfectants to kill more bacteria
HydraGlyde for improved moisture
Creates barrier against debris

Cons

May not be suitable for sensitive eyes

Opti-Free’s Puremoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution is a multipurpose contact lens solution that draws on two different disinfectants to rid contact lenses of microorganisms that could potentially cause infection. The contact solution also comes equipped with HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, a system that envelops contact lenses in a cushion of moisture. This leaves lenses feeling comfortable while also creating a protective barrier that helps keep debris from getting in.

Price at time of publication: $3

Active Ingredients: Sodium citrate, sodium chloride, and boric acid | Use: To clean, store, and disinfect contact lenses

Amazon

Pros

Deep-cleaning hydrogen peroxide
Combats protein and debris buildup
Free of preservatives

Cons

Cannot use as a quick rinse

Clear Care’s Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution is a hydrogen peroxide-based solution that can be used with both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The bubbling hydrogen peroxide gives a deep clean, loosening dirt and combating protein and debris buildup.

Because Clear Care’s Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution is hydrogen peroxide-based, it may be a suitable choice for those who find multipurpose solutions irritating. The solution is also preservative-free, to further cut down on irritation.

That said, it’s important to use hydrogen peroxide-based solutions exactly as instructed to avoid burning, stinging, or otherwise irritating the eyes. Clear Care’s Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution comes with a contact lens case that, over time, converts the hydrogen peroxide to a gentle saline solution. This solution mimics natural tears, and its HydraGlade system cushions lenses with long-lasting moisture. These elements keep lenses feeling comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Price at time of publication: $38

Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Use: Cleans and disinfects both soft contacts and gas permeable lenses

Walmart

Pros

Affordable
Good for sensitive eyes
Reduces redness and dryness

Cons

Does not disinfect

Equate’s Saline Solution for Sensitive Eyes is a saline-based solution that is suitable for soft contact lenses. Unlike multipurpose solutions and hydrogen peroxide-based solutions, saline-based solutions cannot clean or disinfect lenses. Instead, Equate’s Saline Solution for Sensitive Eyes is simply designed to store and rinse lenses, keeping them fresh, moist, and ready to be used.

Equate’s Saline Solution for Sensitive Eyes was specifically designed with sensitive eyes in mind. The sterile solution promises to cut down on redness, dryness, and irritation.

Price at time of publication: $5

Active Ingredients: Boric acid, sodium borate, and potassium chloride | Use: To rinse and store contact lenses

Amazon

Pros

Suitable for soft and gas permeable lenses
Combats protein and lipid buildup
Cruelty-free

Cons

Must rub lenses

Scleral contact lenses are rigid gas permeable contact lenses commonly prescribed to patients who have corneal irregularities. Most multipurpose contact solutions are designed for soft contact lenses, not rigid gas permeable contact lenses. But Clear Conscience’s Multi-Purpose Contact Solution is a multipurpose solution that is suitable for both soft contact lenses (including silicone hydrogel lenses) and rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Clear Conscience’s Multi-Purpose Contact Solution cleans, conditions, rinses, and disinfects contact lenses while storing them. Like many multipurpose contact solutions, it also promises to combat protein and lipid buildup. Clear Conscience’s Multi-Purpose Contact Solution is proudly cruelty-free. It's also free of the potentially irritating disinfectant chlorhexidine and preservative thimerosal.

Price at time of publication: $16

Active Ingredients: Poloxamer, sodium phosphate buffer, and sodium chloride | Use: To clean, condition, rinse, and disinfect lenses

Amazon

Pros

Long-lasting hydration
Soft and gas permeable use
Can be used to refresh lenses

Cons

Cannot store lenses in solution

Refresh’s Contacts Comfort Drops are not technically contact solution, but instead are eye drops to keep your contacts feeling fresh and moist throughout the day. Refresh’s Contacts Comfort Drops can be paired with both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses.

Refresh’s Contacts Comfort Drops can be applied throughout the day to soothe the eyes, providing moisture, relief, and comfort. Each drop creates a “liquid cushion” that offers long-lasting hydration.

Price at time of publication: $7

Active Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium, sodium chloride, and boric acid | Use: To refresh contact lenses throughout the day

Amazon

Pros

Preservative-free
pH balanced
Minimally irritating

Cons

Will not clean or disinfect lenses

PuriLens’ Plus Preservative-Free Saline Solution is a saline-based solution, suitable for both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The preservative-free solution is pH balanced to mimic the eye’s natural tears, making it a comfortable and minimally irritating option.

Because PuriLens’ Plus Preservative-Free Saline Solution is preservative-free, it doesn’t contain many of the potentially irritating compounds that may be found in other multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide-based solutions. This makes it an excellent option for those with dry or sensitive eyes. But because it is a saline-based solution, it will not clean or disinfect contact lenses—it will only store them.

Price at time of publication: $46

Active Ingredients: Sodium chloride, sodium borate, and boric acid | Use: To store contact lenses

Amazon

Pros

Combats amoeba that cause serious eye infections
Good for travel-related activities

Cons

Screw-on cap

Acuvue’s RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution is a multipurpose solution with a dual-disinfecting technology that kills bacteria while maintaining the comfort needed for all-day wear.

Research has shown that Acuvue’s RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution is particularly effective at combating Acanthamoeba, an amoeba that can cause severe eye infections. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in dirt and water, so travel-related activities, like swimming and using a hot tub, are associated with an increased risk of infection. Acuvue’s RevitaLens Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution may be an apt choice for those who are traveling—especially because the solution is available in a TSA-friendly container.

Price at time of publication: $18

Active Ingredients: Alexidine dihydrochloride 0.00016%, polyquaternium-1 0.0003%, and boric acid | Use: To clean, store, and disinfect

Final Verdict

ReNu’s Bausch + Lomb Lens Solution (view on Amazon) is an excellent choice for those looking for a comfortable, moisturizing multipurpose solution that disinfects quickly and efficiently. If you have particularly sensitive eyes, opt for Biotrue’s Contact Lens Solution (view at Amazon). It balances comfort and cleanliness while keeping your lenses moist and hydrated.

What to Look for in a Contact Lens Solution

Active Ingredients

Contact solutions work by killing bacteria through included preservatives. “Preservatives in contact lens solutions either kill (bactericidal) or stop growth (bacteriostatic) of bacteria. They enhance the lens surface wettability, disinfect the lens, maintain lens hydration in the eye, and serve as a mechanical buffer between the eye and the lens and the cornea,” says Elisa Bano, MD, ophthalmologist at ReFocus Eye Health. The most common preservatives/ingredients are, according to Dr. Bano:

Ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA): Chelating agent (reduces heavy metals) and not a true preservative
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK): Works to kill a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi, and can be used in lower concentrations combined with EDTA
Chlorhexidine-Bactericidal: When bound with EDTA, it has increased efficacy for gas permeable lenses, but is not as effective against fungi/yeast
Polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB): Low sensitivity, used for soft contact lenses
Polyquad: Low sensitivity
Benzyl alcohol: A preservative that helps kill bacteria

Compatibility

There are as many brands of contact lens solutions on the market as there places to buy contact lenses. Different contact lenses are compatible with different contact lens solutions. You may want to talk to your eye doctor to ensure your contact lens solution (and overall contact lens care system) meets your individual needs.

Contact Lens Storage Time

Different contact lens solutions can store contact lenses for different amounts of time. “My first recommendation would actually be to change to daily disposable lenses, which are a much better option for part-time wearers, says Jeff Kegarise, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and co-author of "One Patient at a Time: The K2 Way Playbook for Healthcare & Business Success."

It’s also very important to clean your case with soap and water, let it dry out thoroughly so there is no water in the case, and then clean with a contact lens solution. Ideally, you should just change your contact lens case every three months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you keep contact lens solution after opening?

Some contacts are made to wear daily, weekly, or even monthly. You should change out the solution each time you put in and take out your lenses. If you don’t wear them for a few days, you may store them in the same solution for the amount of time your lenses are built to last for (daily, weekly, or monthly). Always talk to your eye doctor if you have additional concerns. The maximum amount of time you should ever store lenses is 30 days.
When should you change contact lens solution?

You should change the contact solution each time you wear the contacts. You should never reuse solutions. Follow the instructions carefully on the back of your solution box.
Can you use contact lens solutions like eye drops?

You should not use contact lens solution as eye drops because the saline and chemical compound cleaners will harm your eye over time. The primary function of a solution is to break down bacteria and other grit and dirt that builds up on your lens. Use eye rewetting drops if you want to put something directly into your eye for comfort either before or after inserting contact lenses.

What the Experts Say

“If you are not achieving that level of comfort and wearability, and have dryness or irritation that limits the wearing time you would like, talk to your doctor about potential underlying causes,”—Jeff Kegarise, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and co-author of "One Patient at a Time: The K2 Way Playbook for Healthcare & Business Success."

Why Trust Verywell Health

As a seasoned health writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

Additional reporting to this story by Brittany Leitner

As a health writer with over eight years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested out hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that won't break the bank.