Dangerous contact lens solutions!

Ugh, seriously... I am not feeling this one bit. Like, what kind of mess am I even looking at right now? I have been using their lenses and their solution for years and honestly, they’ve always been my absolute favorite, so the thought of just tossing a brand-new, unopened bottle... man, I just can't bring myself to do it. It feels such a massive waste to just dump it, but then I have to go out and hunt down a replacement, and ugh, what am I even supposed to grab instead?! This is such a total headache.

Angela Reyes3 said:I have zero clue what else to use that’s priced similarly but actually gives me a fresh bottle every single time!?

Seriously?

Alright, question. 😁

Why on earth do they keep changing the packaging? I swap it out when I buy a new one, sure... but why the hell do they keep redesigning it? 😁

I've got some Opti-Free Express from Alcon... and I actually just picked up a new Complete case two days ago too. Honestly, I'm just tossing everything—new lenses and all—into the trash right now. It's a good thing I have plenty of backups at home, both the contacts and the Opti-Free solution.

Michelle Cook83 said:That amoeba is super dangerous, can cause blindness. So yeah, keep playing around if you want...

I know, okay? My only passing grade in college was in Microbiology 😁

Was joking around until things got serious, then of course I tossed everything in the trash immediately. Gotta decide what I'm using by the end of the day. Don't even have a case or solution right now. Thank god I had some backup contacts at home.

Jamie Kim said:Look, I know... my only passing grade in college was for a microbiology joke.😁

I was messing around until they ran the tests, so obviously I tossed everything in the trash once I found out. Now I have until the end of the day to figure out what I'm actually going to use. Problem is, I don't have a case or any solution left. Thank God I had some contacts stashed at home.

Count me in as a former user of this stuff too... I used it for years and never had a single issue.😕
If anyone has a decent recommendation for a replacement, please let me know by the end of the day.🙂

I've been sticking with Nitilens solutions for my soft contact lenses for years now. Honestly, I'm satisfied with them.

Look, if you want to keep things clean, throwing your contact lens case in the microwave for a bit works wonders for disinfecting it. Just crank it to max power and let it blast for about thirty seconds. Just don't overdo it, or you might end up melting the damn thing. 🙂

So, I finally picked up that Opti-Free Express solution today, $29, and honestly, it’s pretty great... plus, it actually comes with its own little carrying case in the box...

@ Kimberly Davis52 - you know, I was thinking about that, and maybe it just offers a higher level of hygiene? I’ll be the first to admit I’m not always the most meticulous person, and I always end up with that annoying dried-up solution crusting around the cap, so I actually find it much more convenient to just grab a fresh bottle every month...

By the way, has everyone else really just tossed their lenses out all at once? I'm curious, what kind of lenses are you guys using lately—I mean, what's the replacement cycle for you? I personally wear annuals, so I wouldn't be quite as quick to just throw them away... Luckily, mine had actually reached their expiration date anyway, so I ended up grabbing some new ones regardless...

Honestly, why even bother tossing the lenses if they’re made by Complete? I’ve come to realize that the whole issue really just boils down to the solution itself...😕 😕

Kate Walker61 said:Isn't it also worth just tossing the lenses themselves? If they're made from Complete, I mean... I've come to realize that it's really just about the solution...😕 😕理论上来说

But looking at the official press release from the manufacturer, they only mention the solution; I think I read somewhere online that you should toss the lenses too... To be more precise, here

Angela Reyes3 said:The official press release only mentions the solution—as for the lenses themselves, I think I caught some mention of that somewhere online... Or, to be more precise. I'm here.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me... I just opened the box—and honestly, since I’ve barely even made a dent in the bottle, at least there’s a little bit of cushion left to soften the blow—but this is absolutely brutal. Just awful.😠

Kate Walker61 said:Oh, you have got to be kidding me... I just opened my new box and I am already staring at this disaster. The solution is barely even started, so at least that part is somewhat manageable, but still—this is absolutely awful. How does this even happen?😠

So, if we’re looking at this purely from a theoretical standpoint, the number of people actually getting sick is incredibly low, right? It’s not like there’s some massive statistical probability hanging over our heads, but still, isn't it ultimately up to each individual to decide whether they want to take that risk or not? I honestly don't know what kind of lenses you're currently wearing—whether they're dailies, monthlies, or something else entirely—but if I hadn't just placed an order for some new ones (which, by the way, already arrived, yay!), I would have absolutely tossed my old pair in the trash and started fresh with a brand-new supply. I mean, given all the eye issues I deal with as it is, why on earth would I want to add this extra layer of worry to the mix?

Oh, I should probably add one more thing! Looking closely at the info for Opti-Free, it specifically mentions that it kills off that particular bacterium responsible for the infection, so I’m feeling much more at ease about everything now. Isn't it such a relief when you finally find that bit of reassurance?🙂

Angela Reyes3 said:Just to add, the Opti-Free label specifically says it kills off that particular bacterium responsible for the infection, so I’m feeling a lot better about things now. At least I can finally stop worrying.🙂

So, you're asking where I grab my Opti-Free? Honestly, I don't really bother trekking out to some fancy boutique eye clinic for that stuff. I usually just pick up a bottle at CVS or Walgreens whenever I'm already there grabbing snacks. It’s pretty much everywhere if you know where to look.

Honestly, it feels like there's some new drama with these solutions every single week. 😠 How are we even supposed to know if the other brands aren't contaminated too? I don't actually use Complete, but I snagged a free sample bottle, so if things get annoying at work, I’ll just use that for a quick rinse.

I usually stick with Solo Aqua Care from CIBA Vision, and honestly, it's been solid so far. I wear O2Optix lenses.

So, I totally trashed my contact lenses, the case, and spilled an entire bottle of solution this morning. Total disaster. Right? So I headed over to the drugstore and basically talked myself into grabbing a trial bottle of AO Sept plus from CIBA Vision just to see if it works. Since it’s literally all I have left at home, I guess I don't have much of a choice. It comes with a lens case too... but honestly, the case isn't sleek like the one from Complete. It looks more like some kind of nuclear waste container. Any idea how anyone is supposed to actually fit their lenses into that thing?

Has anyone actually inquired about getting their money back? I ended up buying two bottles—they’re both already open, though they're nearly full. That’s $57, and on top of that, $17 I had to shell out for a new case for my lens cleaning device, which isn't exactly a cost I'm willing to just swallow. Shouldn't they be issuing refunds alongside the product recall?

Kate Edwards51 said:I was wondering, where on earth do you pick up that Alcon solution? Is it just something you grab at any local pharmacy, or do you have to go to a specific eye doctor's office?

Oh, you can just grab it at a drugstore! If you happen to be over in New York City, maybe near a spot like a CVS in Brooklyn, it’s super easy to find, but honestly, I think they carry it pretty much everywhere these days...

I sprinted straight to my eye doctor today because I’ve been dealing with this annoying feeling—like there's something stuck in my eye—whenever I wear my contacts. Honestly, I was kind of freaking out a little bit.
Anyway, the doctor told me not to lose my mind over it. Apparently, something similar happened with Renee last year, and it turned out to be just seven isolated cases in the USA. Renee had her solution tested, stripped out whatever substance might have triggered that fungus issue (it was a fungus back then), and put it back on the market. She’s expecting a similar move now. Just to be safe, I switched my solution, though I didn't toss my lenses—just rinsed them out with the new stuff.

Oh, and my eyes are totally fine. No microorganisms or anything like that found. 😍

So, I finally made it to my appointment with the ophthalmologist today. She told me I could just keep using my current solution until it runs out, but honestly? I went ahead and bought a new bottle anyway. To make matters even more bureaucratic, the pharmacy had to take down my full name and phone number—apparently, they’re going to call me once the refunds start processing.
From what I overheard during their conversation, the hospital staff is planning to burn through every single bit of stock they have left on hand.
At the end of the day, you just can't mess around when it comes to your eyes. Everyone thinks they'll be the lucky one who avoids getting infected—that one-in-a-thousand outlier—but why on earth would I take that chance? It's not worth it to risk my sight just to save a few bucks on something silly.

Angela Reyes3 said:I was actually quite shaken by this news, so I did a little digging online. It turns out they’re pulling this solution from the market almost everywhere globally... Honestly, I’ve been using it for years and have always been perfectly happy with it. Now I’m just left staring at my cabinet wondering what on earth I’m supposed to switch to? I need something comparable in price, but I don't want to be stuck in a cycle where I'm hunting for a new brand every single time I run out!

OPTIFREE EXPRESS is absolutely top-tier. If you ask me, they might be the only ones on the market who haven't dealt with some massive scandal involving bacterial growth in their solutions...