Are all contact lens solutions the same as they vary so much in price?

[febel]

Apologies if this is the incorrect section but I couldn't find one to put this question under.
I have started to wear monthly contact lenses, varifocal ones. The opticians, Specsavers, gave me Easyvision easy purpose /multi purpose solution last time I got the cleaning solution off them...but before that I had a different one. Both of them were on a trial (not sure why I got 2). Now I have to pay for the lenses and solution...there is a monthly plan I can go on or I can pay for 3 months of lenses and cleaning solution separately. I have opted for the latter one first and paid outright as I am not sure still about the lenses and wearing them...they irritate my eye after 10 hours of wear. I am now running out of solution...but it seems very expensive. Are all cleaning solutions equal?

Hopefully someone who knows better will come along and be able to say for sure, but in the meantime, I've been wearing contact lenses for twenty two years, before there was even a "complete" solution and I have used probably just about every one going since they became available. I've never noticed a difference. I currently use the ASDA own make one and it's absolutely fine. But that's just my personal experience! I'd be interested to hear the answer too!

I don't know, but I've found I wear rigid gas permeable lenses, by the way that I tend to find a solution I get along with and stick with it. For me it's the Boston one. I tried switching to Boots' own brand and I found it didn't keep my eyes 'wet' for long enough while I was wearing the lenses.

But I think some people can jump between brands without having much of an issue.

I wonder if it depends on the type of lenses, and also how sensitive the person's eyes are generally.

I was lead to believe only a few companies actually made lense solution and it was just marketing under different brands - but like own brands in the supermarket.

I’ve worn lenses for 30 years and tried a lot of solutions.

OptiFree in the green bottle is the devil’s work - it stings my eyes the second it goes near them.

All the others seem pretty comparable. I’ve had a few which feel a bit ‘thicker/stickier’ in my eyes. I’ve been using Superdrug sensitive all in one for a while now - it’s frequently on offer.

I think it’s a bit of trial and error to see which you like best.

I’m using home bargains own for years now with no issues. I think it’s £2ish.

I've been using Sainsburys own all in one for years now with soft lenses, a bottle lasts me a month and costs about £4. I tried various ones before that all were a lot more expensive. I think some do have more wetting/comfort ingredients.

When I wore rigid gas permeables the Boston ones were a revelation, so much better than those I'd tried previously.

Definitely not all the same for me, Tesco own brand one makes my eyes so dry - I get on with the home bargains one for £1.99 for a big bottle thankfully!

For most people any is fine, but I have to use an extra moisture one so use Pure Moist (great name!) which is one of the pricier ones in Boots.

Well this has opened my eyes (ho ho) I didn't know there were cheaper ones, I have been using Boots for 20 years -I'm getting myself down to Home Bargains.

I tend to find one I like and stick to it, some just don’t suit me.

I’m currently using renu and have been for the last few years.

However if your lenses are irritating your eyes, you may need to try a different brand.

I was lead to believe only a few companies actually made lense solution and it was just marketing under different brands - but like own brands in the supermarket.

This.

I use Boots brand as I'm on a Boots scheme. (Due to my prescription changing from a complex to a simple one, it now works out the same price for me with eye tests.)

Prior to that for about 18 years I would buy my lenses and solution separately so I used any solution that was cheapest.

However when I go on holiday I still have to use a different brand as I need to take a sample pack e.g. Biotrue otherwise I can't take it on the plane.

Interestingly I always use optifree and it is fine for me so it is a personal thing! 10 hours is a good long stint .

Whatever you do - the opticians schemes are money burners. Once you've found the right combinations, go to feelgood contacts or similar and buy their equivalent. Then just pay for your annual checkup.

I’ve been wearing lenses for 50 years, and now wear the gas permeable ones. I used to use the Boston solution, but now use Boots own and don’t see any difference at all. I usually wear my lenses for about 14 hours a day, no problems with irritation or dryness.

I use waitrose own brand after spending so much over the years on big brands and havnt noticed any difference at all. So much cheaper!

Might get myself down to Home Bargains ! I can see without lenses...but can't really read properly or anything without needing longer arms than I have! Thank you..lots to think about...and I wasn't sure if I should be expecting to last longer than 10 hours ....means I can't wear them in the evening though. My eyes feel dry and itchy after 9 to 10 hours with them in...they are soft, monthly ones and have been wearing for around 8 weeks or so.