What's So Special About Cleaning Polymacon Soft Contact Lenses?

There's something about scientific jargon that instills in people an irrational fear. Take for example the phrase 'cleaning polymacon soft contact lenses'. Already people might start wondering what polymacon is and why cleaning lenses made from it should be any different than is normally the case. Is it a bad thing? Or is Polymacon the next big thing and something I should have in my lenses? All these questions are probably rising in your mind as we speak, all unbidden. Relax, because we're here to edify you. So sit back and prepare to be made smarter (NOTE: We can't actually guarantee you'll be smarter, but it's worth a shot, right?)

A polymer, by definition, is a natural or synthetic compound comprised of relatively large molecules that are themselves made up of simple, repeated units. Polymacon is one such material that has been used in the manufacture of soft contact lenses for a number of years, a great many years, in fact. Chances are that you've been using Polymacon based lenses without even knowing it! Polymacon is a hydrophilic (water-absorbing) polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and contains 38% water. Lenses that make use of Polymacon are considered to be among the most comfortable for sufferers of dry eye, although their low water content, and as a consequence, their inability to facilitate much oxygen transfer to the eye, means that as they dry out they can exasperate the problem.

Furthermore, because Polymacon is a non-ionic polymer with a low water content it is far less susceptible to bacteria than those non-ionics with high water content. One such lens that makes use of the Polymacon material is Bausch & Lomb's SoftLens 38. Because the material is widely used in the creation of soft contacts, no special cleaning regime need be followed over and above your existing lens care. In other words, cleaning polymacon soft contact lenses is a simple matter of using an appropriate lens care solution to clean, disinfect and store the Contact Lenses as you might (or should) always have done.

Of course, regardless of the type of lens you use, it's not a bad idea to include the use of an enzymatic cleaner in your maintenance regime from time to time. As this will remove excess protein deposits and disinfect the lens simultaneously.

Contact Lenses and lens care systems, regardless of what they're made of -- we're an equal-opportunity product stockist! -- can be found using the easily navigable links to the right of this article. Enjoy!

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