Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've worn hard, and later, gas-permeable contact lenses since I was 16 (I'm now 63). Due to presbyopia, I now wear very expensive multi-focus no-line gas-permeable lenses. These lenses have continued to correct my vision extremely well for far longer than any other lenses I've worn. But, after a few years they started giving me problems. I could clean them but they'd became unbearably blurry again within a few hours. I suspected tenacious protein deposits which would not clean off. I resigned myself to buying a new pair and made an appointment with my ophthalmologist. In a close photograph of my lenses he showed me where, just as I suspected, each lens had small patches of protein deposits which were irritating my eyes, exacerbating the problem by causing my eyes to generate more protein laden fluids. The price for a new pair of these special multi-focal lenses was $300 (in addition to the eye exam). I thought at least there would be a small adjustment in the prescription, but no changes were needed. So, I decided that before I spent $300 for a new pair exactly like what I already had, I would investigate with greater determination all methods to get my existing pair clean. I'd been soaking my lenses in Boston Advance, Boston Simplus, as well as trying other brands and formulations. I'd clean at least once a week using Boston Advance Cleaner or diluted Lemon Fresh Joy (recommended to me many years ago by a professor of ophthalmology). Lately my lenses became blurry so quickly that I'd have to clean them several times each day. The Lemon Fresh Joy seemed to clean slightly better than anything else I'd tried up to that point. Note: Lemon Fresh Joy was specifically recommended because the formulation rinses off easily and completely (other dishwashing liquids may not be an equivalent substitution). I've tried Boston and other enzymatic cleaners many times over the years but never noticed much effect. Nevertheless, I wanted to exhaust all efforts so I bought a new 12-pack of this Boston One Step Enzymatic Cleaner. I followed the directions, using it for 3 nights straight but again found little if any improvement. Determined to get my lenses clean, I tried both the Boston Advance and then Lemon Fresh Joy with renewed enthusiasm several times a day, but my lenses continued to cloud up quickly. I tried the Boston product again, this time I used it every night for a least a full week, then each morning cleaned the lenses with Boston Advance Cleaner. Still, the lenses were unbearable. For those who are thinking that maybe I'm allergic to some ingredient in the cleaners ... I don't think so. I've used them, not used them, and it makes no difference. I think it's the protein deposits themselves that were causing my eyes to be irritated. As a last resort, I hit the Internet to see if I could find any other cleaner or polishing method which would remove these tenacious protein deposits. I found that some eye care specialists still offer a polishing service, but in reading about it I'm convinced that it could easily change the focal power, especially damaging to multi-focal lenses. But I did keep coming across rave reviews for a product I'd never heard of -- Lobob. I found Lobob on Amazon and all the reviews were very positive, so I figured I'd spend $10 to potentially save $300, and hopefully it could be a final resolution. I bought Lobob ESC (Extra Strength Cleaner) on Amazon Lobob Optimum extra strength RGP cleaner, Contact lenses solution - 2 oz and I noticed its effect immediately on the first use. I followed their directions for stubborn deposits -- soaking in slightly diluted cleaner overnight, and then scrubbing the lenses between the index finger and palm each morning. After 3 days my lenses were noticeably better, though not perfect yet. The Lobob cleaner worked so well that I decided to try their soaking solution (Lobob CDS - Cleaning/Disinfecting/Storage) Optimum cleaning disinfecting storage solution by Lobob - 4 oz, which you should note is NOT a wetting solution -- it must be rinsed off prior to applying a wetting solution. I forgot to do this once and definitely won't make that mistake again! Now, having used the Lobob CDS solution for four months I can enthusiastically recommend it as all you probably need to keep your lenses clean of protein deposits. Put the lenses into a typical plastic storage case, then aim about 3 drops of Lobob CDS to the edge of each lens, making sure it surrounds and coats both sides of the lens. In the morning, wash your hands, pick one lens out with your index finger (dragging out the solution with it) and place it in the center of the palm of your other hand. Use your index finger to lightly rub the lens against palm for about 5 to 10 seconds, letting your fingertip slide around on the lens to clean the inside surface. If you add a drop of water you will see frothy suds form. Your skin cannot scratch the lens, but don't let your fingernail hit the lens as it may scratch (especially if you wear those fake nails). Rinse the lens in running water and apply a drop of wetting solution. For a wetting solution, I prefer Refresh Tears (yes, ophthalmological studies have found that artificial tears can be superior as contact lens wetting agents than specialized contact wetting products, and can be dropped directly in the eye when needed without first removing the contact). Lobob also makes a wetting solution (WRW) Optimum by Lobob Wetting & Rewetting Drops - 1 Oz which has also earned rave reviews, but I haven't tried it (maybe I should). After a couple of weeks following this routine of a nightly soak in Lobob CDS, followed by scrubbing each lens in the palm of my hand, my lenses were as good as new and I've suffered no blurry or cloudy vision since following this regimen. The remaining Boston Enzymatic Cleaner will probably never be used. I haven't found any need to do any other type of cleaning. Even the Lobob ESC solution was unnecessary. Using 3 to 4 drops per lens per day, my 4 oz bottle of CDS is still about 80% full after 4 months of continuous use. At this rate, I predict one bottle will easily last an entire year. $10 for a full year of soaking and cleaning -- What a deal! I think it's great when a small company can outdo all the mega-corporations!