Saline solution

A saline solution, also known as saline or physiological saline, is a sterile liquid consisting of sodium chloride (table salt) dissolved in purified water. The concentration corresponds to the salt content of your body fluids, usually 0.9 per cent, and therefore feels neutral on your eye.

Saline solutions are used in eye care and lens care to rinse contact lenses, clean lens cases and rinse the surface of the eye. They contain no preservatives or disinfectants, so they do not clean or disinfect your lenses. For daily lens care, you will also need an all-in-one solution or a peroxide system.

You can find saline solutions in bottles, ampoules or single-use pipettes. The sterile packaging ensures that the solution is safe for contact with your eyes and your lenses.

Rinsing contact lenses

After cleaning or disinfecting, rinse your lenses with saline solution to wash away any residual solution or loosened particles. This is particularly common with peroxide systems, where you rinse the lens briefly after neutralisation before inserting it.

Cleaning lens cases

You can use saline solution to rinse your lens case daily. This will remove any residual solution and loose particles. Leave the case to air-dry afterwards.

Rinsing the surface of the eye

A sterile saline solution is designed to rinse dust, pollen or other particles from the surface of the eye. It can help relieve discomfort caused by irritation or dryness, for example during hay fever season or after prolonged screen use. Please note that a saline solution does not contain any moisturising or soothing ingredients; for extra comfort, there are moisturising eye drops containing, for example, hyaluronic acid.

What saline solution does not do

A saline solution does not clean or disinfect your lenses. It simply rinses them. For daily care, you need a cleaning and disinfecting solution, such as an all-in-one solution or a peroxide system. At SMEYEL , you’ll find the full range of saline solutions and other lens care products.

If you have persistent symptoms, pain, redness or any concerns about your eyes or lenses, please have them assessed by your optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist.