Hydrogen Peroxide Lens Systems
Clinical Performance, Safety, and Relevance for Specialty Lens Wear
Reusable contact lenses remain an important component of modern vision care, particularly for patients wearing rigid gas permeable (RGP), orthokeratology, and scleral lenses. However, reusable lens wear requires effective cleaning and disinfection, and the choice of lens care system can influence microbial safety, patient comfort, and long-term treatment success.
Hydrogen peroxide–based contact lens care systems have demonstrated strong antimicrobial efficacy, preservative-free neutralisation, and compatibility with many contact lens materials.
Patients seeking clinical guidance on contact lens care can also consult the team at Rose Optometry: https://roseoptom.co.nz
Importance of Contact Lens Disinfection
Reusable contact lenses can become contaminated during routine handling and storage. Studies examining patient behaviour show that non-compliance with recommended cleaning routines remains common, which increases the importance of effective disinfection systems.Microbial contamination of contact lenses and storage cases has been associated with complications including microbial keratitis, corneal infiltrative events, and lens deposition.
Hydrogen Peroxide Contact Lens Care Systems
Hydrogen peroxide lens care systems disinfect lenses through oxidative antimicrobial activity.
During the disinfection cycle:
- Hydrogen peroxide disinfects the lens.
- Peroxide is neutralised in a catalytic case.
- The final solution becomes water and oxygen.
This results in a preservative-free environment for lens storage.
Orthokeratology Lenses and Lens Care
Orthokeratology (OK) lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea and control myopia progression.
Research led by Mark Bullimore and colleagues has examined the safety profile of orthokeratology and highlighted the importance of lens hygiene and compliance with care systems.
Clinical orthokeratology services and fitting consultations are provided at Rose Optometry: https://roseoptom.co.nz
Daily Wear Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses remain an essential option for patients with keratoconus, irregular corneas, high astigmatism, and post-surgical corneal conditions.
RGP lenses typically require:
- Surfactant cleaning
- Disinfection
Recommended cleaning systems for rigid gas permeable lenses can be obtained through the Rose Optometry contact lens solution store: https://store.roseoptom.co.nz
Multipurpose GP Solutions: Menicare
Multipurpose GP solutions such as Menicare Plus provide conditioning and disinfection for rigid lenses.
Clinicians typically recommend daily surfactant cleaning using products such as:
- Ote Clean
- Boston Advance Daily Cleaner
Menicare and associated GP cleaning products are available through the Rose Optometry online store: https://store.roseoptom.co.nz
Peroxide Systems for RGP and Orthokeratology Lenses
Hydrogen peroxide systems such as Everclean provide oxidative antimicrobial disinfection and are frequently recommended for orthokeratology lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and scleral lenses.
Examples of peroxide-based contact lens care systems available in New Zealand include products supplied through the Rose Optometry contact lens care store:
https://store.roseoptom.co.nz
Clinical Comparison: Menicare vs Peroxide Systems
References (PubMed)
- Nichols JJ. The Case for Using Hydrogen Peroxide Contact Lens Care Solutions: A Review. PMID: 30585864.
- Gabriel MM et al. Biocidal Efficacy of a Hydrogen Peroxide Lens Care Solution. PMID: 30138250.
- Ponce-García V et al. Antimicrobial efficacy of multipurpose and oxidative contact lens care solutions. PMID: 41520504.
- Yee A et al. Compliance behaviours in reusable contact lens wear. PMID: 33678542.
- Watt BE et al. Hydrogen peroxide toxicity and ocular exposure. PMID: 15298493.
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