Are all multipurpose contact lens solutions the same?
No. “Multipurpose” describes the functions a solution performs, not a standardized formula. Products may combine cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, conditioning, and storage, but their ingredients and compatible lens types can differ.
Three functions are particularly useful to distinguish:
- Cleaning removes deposits and debris from the lens.
- Disinfection reduces harmful microorganisms.
- Wetting and conditioning help maintain a wettable lens surface and support comfortable wear.
A separate daily cleaner does not replace disinfection, and saline does not clean or disinfect lenses. [1]
Which ingredients help keep contact lenses wet?
Contact lens solutions use several approaches to wetting and conditioning. Hyaluronic acid is one option, but a solution does not need to contain it to have wetting properties.
Hyaluronan in soft-lens solutions
Hyaluronan, also called hyaluronic acid or HA, is a moisture-retaining ingredient found in original Biotrue and Biotrue Hydration Plus.
Hydration Plus also includes poloxamine and poloxamer 181 surfactants, erythritol, and potassium chloride. It differs from original Biotrue in more than HA content: the disinfecting system and other formulation components also change. Both products are intended for soft lenses, including silicone hydrogel lenses. [2,3]
Wetting polymers and surfactants
OPTI-FREE Puremoist contains two wetting agents: Tetronic 1304 and polyoxyethylene-polyoxybutylene, identified as EOBO-41 and marketed as HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix. Alcon describes EOBO-41 as a polymer primarily designed to wet and lubricate silicone hydrogel lenses. [4]
OPTI-FREE Replenish uses a different reconditioning system: Tetronic 1304 combined with nonanoyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, marketed as TearGlyde. [5]
Poloxamer and poloxamine surfactants also appear in other formulations, where they contribute to cleaning and wetting. For example, renu Advanced contains poloxamine and poloxamer 181, while VISTA Clean and Tangible Clean list poloxamer. [3,6,7,8]
Conditioning systems for GP lenses
Boston Simplus combines deposit removal with lens conditioning. Its ingredients include hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and Glucam; the package insert describes a polymer cushioning system and a humectant that maintains lens wettability. It is intended for specified GP lens materials, not soft lenses. [9]
Unique pH contains hydroxypropyl guar and polyethylene glycol. Menicon describes its conditioning action as responding to the eye’s tear pH to enhance GP lens wettability and comfort on insertion. [10]
These are different formulation approaches. Their ingredient lists alone do not establish which will provide the best comfort for an individual patient.
How do common contact lens solution formulations compare?
The table below lists selected cleaning, wetting, and conditioning components—not complete formulas or a ranking.
| Product | Selected formulation components | Lens compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Biotrue original | HA, poloxamine, sulfobetaine | Soft, including silicone hydrogel |
| Biotrue Hydration Plus | HA, poloxamine, poloxamer 181, erythritol, potassium chloride | Soft, including silicone hydrogel |
| OPTI-FREE Puremoist | Tetronic 1304 and EOBO-41 wetting polymer | Soft, including silicone hydrogel |
| OPTI-FREE Replenish | Tetronic 1304 and nonanoyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid | Soft, including silicone hydrogel |
| renu Advanced Formula | Poloxamine, poloxamer 181, sodium citrate | Soft, including silicone hydrogel |
| renu fresh | Poloxamine and hydroxyalkylphosphonate, marketed as Hydranate | Soft |
| Boston Simplus | Poloxamine, hydroxyalkylphosphonate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, Glucam | Specified GP materials; not soft |
| Unique pH | Hydroxypropyl guar, polyethylene glycol, poloxamine | GP; used in scleral lens care |
| Tangible Clean | Poloxamer, phosphate buffer, disodium edetate | GP, scleral, hybrid, and soft |
| VISTA Clean | Poloxamer, phosphate buffer, disodium edetate | GP, scleral, hybrid, and soft, including silicone hydrogel |
Sources: product labeling and manufacturer information. [2–12]
VISTA Clean’s carton lists poloxamer, sodium phosphate buffer, sodium chloride, and disodium edetate, preserved with polyhexanide 0.0001%. Tangible Clean declares the same ingredients and preservative concentration. Matching lists do not prove identical formulations, because the concentrations and grades of the other ingredients are not specified. [7,8]
Does a hydration claim prove a solution is better for dry eyes?
No. A hydration claim must be interpreted alongside its comparator and testing method.
Biotrue Hydration Plus’s “25% more HA” claim compares it with original Biotrue multipurpose solution. Its greater lens moisture-retention claim also compares with original Biotrue and is based on laboratory testing. Neither establishes superiority over other brands or a proportional improvement in patient comfort. [13]
Clinical findings also need context. In an Alcon-sponsored, 30-day randomized trial of 589 symptomatic silicone hydrogel wearers, Puremoist performed better than renu fresh on some comfort measures and symptoms such as burning, stinging, and scratchiness. Average comfortable wear time was 10.2 versus 9.8 hours, but reported dryness did not differ between the groups. [14]
A 2025 Bausch + Lomb-funded publication reported favorable comfort and clinical findings for Biotrue Hydration Plus over three months. However, that paper presented the Hydration Plus arm of a larger trial rather than a between-product superiority analysis. [15]
These findings support specific statements about the products and populations studied. They do not identify a universal winner for dry-eye patients.
How does ingredient sensitivity affect solution selection?
Wetting ingredients are only part of the formula. Multipurpose solutions also use different disinfectant and preservative systems.
For patients allergic or sensitive to preservatives in multipurpose solutions, the FDA identifies generally preservative-free hydrogen peroxide systems as an option. This is a reason to consider a different care system, not evidence that peroxide is best for all patients experiencing dryness.
Peroxide systems require their specified neutralizing process and full label-directed neutralization time. Unneutralized peroxide must never be placed directly in the eye or used to rinse lenses immediately before insertion. [16]
What changes for scleral lenses?
Scleral lens cleaning and scleral lens filling serve different purposes. Scleral lenses are GP lenses that vault over the cornea and hold a fluid reservoir beneath them. [17]
A compatible cleaning and disinfecting system maintains the lens outside the eye. Before application, multipurpose solution must be thoroughly rinsed away with appropriate sterile saline or scleral filling solution.
The lens bowl is then filled with a sterile, preservative-free solution appropriate for scleral application. Multipurpose disinfecting solution should not fill that reservoir. [11]
Surface coatings add another compatibility requirement. Tangible Science lists Tangible Clean, Boston Simplus, Unique pH, Clear Care Triple Action, and Clear Care Plus among products compatible with Hydra-PEG. Its incompatible-product list includes Boston Advance Cleaner and Progent. [18]
Broad compatibility with scleral lenses does not automatically establish compatibility with every surface coating. Follow the lens and coating manufacturer’s instructions when selecting a care product.
Can contact lens solution replace dry-eye drops?
A cleaning and disinfecting solution is not a substitute for a product intended for use in the eye. Contact lens rewetting drops should be specifically labeled for use with the wearer’s lenses. [19]
For example, Biotrue Hydration Plus is not indicated for direct use in the eye as a rewetting solution. Its lens-hydration claims concern its role as a lens-care product. [13]
When discussing solution choices with patients, identify the exact formulation, compatible lens type, and intended use. For scleral wearers, name the cleaning and filling products separately. Persistent dryness warrants assessment by the prescribing clinician; redness, irritation, or changes in vision require lens removal and consultation with an eye care professional. [20]
References
- CDC: Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Storing Contact Lenses
- Biotrue original U.S. package insert
- Biotrue Hydration Plus U.S. package insert
- OPTI-FREE Puremoist U.S. package insert
- Alcon medical information: Replenish ingredients
- renu Advanced Formula U.S. package insert
- Tangible Science: Tangible Clean ingredients and compatibility
- Amconlabs.com: Product Description
- Boston Simplus U.S. package insert
- Menicon: Unique pH product information and FDA formulation summary
- Scleral Lens Education Society: Scleral Lens Care Guide
- renu fresh U.S. package insert and VISTA Clean device record
- Bausch + Lomb: Biotrue Hydration Plus product information and claim qualifications
- Corbin et al. Clinical evaluation of a new multi-purpose disinfecting solution in symptomatic wearers of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Clinical Optometry. 2012;4:13–24
- Schaeffer et al. Clinical Evaluation of Biotrue Hydration Plus Multipurpose Solution in Daily Use with Planned Replacement Soft Contact Lenses. Ophthalmology and Therapy. 2025;14:1249–1260
- FDA: Safe Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
- American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki: Contact Lenses
- Tangible Science: Hydra-PEG care and compatible solutions
- ACUVUE: Eye drops and contact lenses
- FDA: Contact Lens Solutions and Products
