The Case for Using Hydrogen Peroxide Contact Lens Care Solutions: A Review

Abstract

Despite their established disinfection and safety benefits, the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) lens care systems among today's wearers of reusable contact lenses remains low in comparison with multipurpose solution (MPS) use. Multipurpose solution systems, however, present several potential drawbacks that may impact patient outcomes, including the use of chemical preservatives for disinfection, biocompatibility issues, and challenges with respect to lens care compliance. Given their unique composition and mechanism of action, one-step H2O2 systems offer the opportunity to avoid many of the challenges associated with MPS use. This article reviews the evolution of H2O2 lens care systems and examines the current scientific and clinical evidence regarding the relative ease of use, lens and tissue compatibility, disinfection efficacy, and ocular surface safety of H2O2 systems. Evaluation of the available data indicates that in comparison with MPS, one-step H2O2 systems tend to promote more favorable compliance, efficacy, comfort, and ocular surface outcomes for a wide range of contact lens–wearing patients. Based on the current published evidence, the authors recommend that eye care practitioners consider making one-step H2O2 systems their first-line contact lens care recommendation for most wearers of reusable lenses.

Contact lens wear and care in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Jones et al [5] indicated that in principle the presence of surfactants in multi-purpose solutions together with rubbing/rinsing steps are likely to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 but further work in this area is required. While a recent review suggested (with no cited evidence) that no rubbing/rinsing is required prior to lens disinfection when using hydrogen peroxide solutions [19], the cleanliness (which is linked to comfort and risk of infection) of RGP and soft lenses soaked in multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide solution is better after rubbing and rinsing [20][21][22][23]. The survey data showed that 55% of the respondents rubbed their lenses prior to soaking with hydrogen peroxide solution.…”

“…The survey did not capture how respondents were instructed on lens care procedures when using hydrogen peroxide solutions but ECPs need to be careful to only adopt evidence-based recommendations. Nichols et al [19] suggested that peroxide systems should be the first-line recommendation for most wearers of reusable lenses and several organizations [16,17] indicate that peroxide-based solutions should be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. Finally, Garcia-Ayuso et al [7] noticed that Spanish wearers changed their frequency of wear to occasional use during the pandemic.…”

“…Current advice suggests regular case replacement [5,10] as infrequent lens case replacement increases the risk of suffering ocular infection [26,27]. Nichols et al [19] noted that peroxide-based systems improve compliance with lens case replacement. In agreement with this, a statistically significant difference was found in the present work between lens care types (peroxide users were more likely to replace their cases monthly than multi-purpose users).…”

Can We Use Preprocedural Soaked Pledgets in Hydrogen Peroxide for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Transmission During Nasal Interventions?

“…4 H 2 O 2 is a well-known chemical compound commonly used for wound healing, mouth gargles in dentistry (3%) and cleaning of the contact lenses. [5][6][7][8] Application of H 2 O 2 -3% to the external ear canal is recommended for the cleaning of cerumen. 9 Besides, in the literature of otorhinolaryngology, the use of H 2 O 2 mouth gargles in 3% after tonsillectomy, and care for transcolumellar suture lines in open septoplasty and rhinoplasty were also seen.…”

Green Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial, Anti-Cancer, and Optimization of Colorimetric Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide of Algae Extract Capped Silver Nanoparticles

“…H 2 O 2 has multiple uses such as the disinfection of waters because of its association with in situ chemical reactions [ 2 ] and its ability to destroy a wide spectrum of bacteria, including molds, yeasts, viruses, and spore-forming organisms [ 3 ]. H 2 O 2 is reasonably safe to manipulate and it is preservative-free, which makes it more suitable for people allergic to preservatives found in multipurpose solutions [ 4 ]. Ten percent v / v solutions of H 2 O 2 are considered dangerous, must not be ingested, and can cause systematic toxicity.…”