An Analysis Of The Neutralization Process of Hydrogen Peroxide Care Systems

Hydrogen-peroxide based cleaning systems have been shown to be effective for contact
lens disinfection as well as management of a variety of patient complaints and their use
has been steadily increasing over the last decade. One step systems, the most popular,
operate by submerging lenses in a 3% solution of peroxide that is decomposed with the
aid of a platinum catalyst. As the number of solution brands on the market increases,
questions of how different each solution is and how long is necessary for neutralization
arise. In this study, the peroxide concentrations of three commonly available solutions
(Alcon Clear Care, Sauflon One Step, and Bausch+Lomb Peroxiclear) were measured
before any decomposition and at 13 time points during neutralization (every ten minutes
for the first hour and once at every hour following). Each sample was taken from a
previously unopened bottle of solution or lens case and calculations were done using
average values from 3 cycles. Clear Care and One Step showed no significant difference
in total peroxide exposure or decomposition rate. Peroxiclear showed significantly higher
total exposure with a slower initial decomposition. All three solutions were within the
“safe” threshold of 100 ppm by 4 hours of decomposition.