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Sodium chloride

cooking salt, table salt, salt, NaCl, physiological salt, saline solution, saline, isotonic saline solution
Sodium chloride is the chemical name for table salt. In eye care, it is used as the basis for saline solutions that can be used to rinse contact lenses and the surface of the eye.
Active ingredients

What is sodium chloride?

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for ordinary table salt, a compound of sodium and chlorine. In eye care and lens care, it is mainly used in the form of an aqueous solution, also known as saline solution.

A physiological saline solution contains 0.9 per cent sodium chloride in distilled water. This concentration corresponds to the salt content of your tears and bodily fluids, making the solution isotonic: it has the same osmotic pressure as your own cells. As a result, a properly formulated saline solution does not sting or burn the surface of your eye.

In lens care, sodium chloride is used to rinse lenses, to neutralise peroxide systems and to moisturise the surface of the eye. It does not dissolve proteins or fats, nor does it disinfect, but it does rinse away loose particles, dust and residues from other solutions.

Uses

Sodium chloride is used in various forms in eye care and lens care:

  • Saline solution for contact lenses: used to rinse lenses after cleaning or after neutralising a peroxide system. It rinses away residues from other solutions, but does not itself clean or disinfect.
  • Sodium chloride-based eye drops: are used to rinse or moisturise the surface of the eye, for example in cases of dryness or following exposure to dust or smoke. They often also contain other moisturising agents.
  • Eye wash: sterile saline solutions in bottles or eye-washing stations, intended for rinsing the eye in the event of irritation or following contact with foreign substances.
  • Filling system for peroxide solutions: some peroxide systems use a separate saline solution to fill the lens case and support the neutralisation process.

At SMEYEL , you’ll find saline solutions for lens care and moisturising eye drops containing sodium chloride.

Please note: a saline solution for contact lenses is intended for rinsing, not for storing or disinfecting lenses. For these purposes, always use a suitable all-in-one solution or a peroxide system, in accordance with the instructions for use for your lenses and solution.

Frequently asked questions

No, a saline solution does not disinfect and is not intended for storing lenses. If you do leave lenses in saline solution, bacteria and fungi can multiply. Always use a suitable all-in-one solution or a peroxide system to clean, disinfect and store your lenses.

Saline solution contains only sodium chloride and water, and rinses lenses without cleaning or disinfecting them. An all-in-one solution also contains disinfecting and cleaning agents, and is designed to clean, disinfect, rinse and store lenses in a single step. For daily use, you need an all-in-one solution or a peroxide system, not a separate saline solution.

This is strongly discouraged. Homemade saline solution is not sterile and the concentration may vary, which could irritate your eyes or lead to infections. Always use a sterile, commercially available saline solution or lens solution approved for contact lenses, and follow the instructions for use.

Saline solution can rinse the surface of the eye and provide temporary relief, but does not contain any moisturising agents that remain in place for longer. For dry eyes, moisturising eye drops containing, for example, hyaluronic acid or other hydrating ingredients are often more suitable. If you have persistent symptoms, please have them assessed by your optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Author & updates

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Publication date: 13 July 2026
Last updated: 13 July 2026