Why does GP lens care require multiple solutions instead of one?

GP lenses require different chemical formulations for different functions. The daily cleaner uses strong surfactants to physically remove deposits through mechanical rubbing. The conditioning solution provides antimicrobial disinfection, lens surface conditioning for wettability, and proper storage environment. These functions are best served by specialized formulations rather than a single compromise solution.

What is the Boston care system?

The Boston system is the most widely recognized GP lens care brand. The standard system includes Boston Advance Cleaner (daily friction cleaner), Boston Advance Conditioning Solution (combined disinfection, conditioning, and storage), Boston Rewetting Drops (optional comfort drops for during wear), and Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner (weekly intensive cleaning). Other GP systems include Lobob and Unique pH.

GP Lens Care: Daily Cleaning, Conditioning, and the Boston System

Q: Why do new GP lenses need lab cleaning before first wear?

New GP lenses from the laboratory may have manufacturing residues on their surfaces, including polishing compounds, pitch, and processing chemicals. These residues can cause immediate discomfort, reduced wettability, and blurred vision. A lab cleaner (more aggressive than daily cleaner) removes these residues before the first wearing. This should be a standard step in the lens verification process.

GP Care: A Multi-Solution Approach

Unlike soft contact lens care, which typically uses a single multipurpose solution, GP lens care requires multiple separate solutions, each performing a specific function. This multi-step approach ensures thorough cleaning, proper disinfection, and optimal lens surface conditioning for comfortable, clear wear.

The Daily Care Routine

Step 1: Daily Cleaner

The daily cleaner is a surfactant-based solution used to physically remove deposits from the lens surface. After removing each lens:

Place the lens in the palm of your hand
Apply several drops of daily cleaner to each lens surface
Gently rub the lens between the fingertip and palm in a back-and-forth motion for 20-30 seconds
Clean both the front and back surfaces
Rinse thoroughly with conditioning solution or saline (never water)

The mechanical rubbing, combined with the surfactant cleaner, removes protein deposits, lipid films, mucin, and environmental debris that accumulate during wear. This step is critical for maintaining lens wettability and comfort.

Step 2: Disinfecting/Conditioning Solution

After cleaning and rinsing, the lens is placed in a conditioning and disinfecting solution for overnight storage:

Provides antimicrobial disinfection during the soaking period
Conditions the lens surface for improved wettability when worn
Contains wetting agents that help the tear film spread evenly over the lens surface
Maintains lens hydration during storage

The lens should soak for a minimum of 4-6 hours (overnight is standard) to ensure adequate disinfection.

Step 3: Insertion (Morning)

Before inserting the lens in the morning:

Remove the lens from the conditioning solution
Rinse with fresh conditioning solution or saline
Some patients may apply additional wetting drops to the lens surface before insertion for enhanced initial comfort
Insert the lens onto the eye

GP care uses separate solutions for separate functions: daily cleaner for deposit removal, conditioning solution for disinfection and wetting, and sometimes a separate wetting solution for insertion comfort. Unlike MPS for soft lenses, these solutions are not interchangeable.

Lab Cleaner for New Lenses

New GP lenses arriving from the laboratory may have manufacturing residues on their surfaces, including polishing compounds, pitch, and processing chemicals. A lab cleaner (also called an extra-strength cleaner or intensive cleaner) should be used before the first wear:

These cleaners are more aggressive than daily cleaners and are designed for periodic rather than daily use
Examples include Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner and Menicon Progent
Follow the specific product instructions for soak time
After lab cleaning, perform the normal daily cleaning and conditioning routine before dispensing

Always lab-clean new GP lenses before the initial dispensing appointment. Manufacturing residues can cause immediate discomfort, reduced wettability, and blurred vision if the lenses are dispensed without this step. Make lab cleaning part of your standard lens verification protocol.

The Boston System

The Boston care system is the most widely recognized GP lens care brand. The standard system includes:

Boston Advance Cleaner: Daily friction cleaner for removing deposits
Boston Advance Conditioning Solution: Combined disinfection, conditioning, and storage solution
Boston Rewetting Drops: Optional comfort drops for use during wear
Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner: Weekly intensive cleaning for heavy deposit buildups

Other GP care systems include:

Lobob products: Includes ESC (Extra Strength Cleaner) and Optimum care line
Unique pH: A single-solution GP care system that simplifies the routine (less common)

Weekly Protein Removal

In addition to daily cleaning, periodic enzymatic cleaning may be recommended to remove protein deposits that accumulate despite daily care:

Enzymatic cleaners (such as papain-based or subtilisin-based enzymes) break down adherent protein deposits
Typically used weekly or as needed based on deposit accumulation
Some systems combine enzymatic cleaning with daily conditioning (liquid enzyme added to the conditioning solution)

GP vs. Soft Lens Care Differences

Aspect	GP Care	Soft Lens Care (MPS)
Number of solutions	2-3 (cleaner, conditioner, optional wetting drops)	1 (multipurpose)
Cleaning method	Dedicated daily cleaner + rub	MPS + rub
Disinfection	Conditioning solution (overnight soak)	MPS (overnight soak)
Lab cleaning	Required for new lenses	Not applicable
Lens replacement	Annual or longer	Daily to monthly

Common Patient Errors

Using soft lens MPS on GP lenses: Soft lens MPS is not formulated for GP materials and may not provide adequate cleaning or conditioning
Using tap water to rinse: Water can harbor Acanthamoeba and other pathogens. Always use approved solutions
Skipping the daily cleaner: Without mechanical cleaning, deposits accumulate rapidly on GP surfaces, reducing comfort and wettability
Not replacing the case: GP lens cases should be replaced every 3 months, just like soft lens cases

Assuming GP lenses require less care because they are replaced less frequently. The opposite is true: because GP lenses are worn for a year or longer, meticulous daily care is essential to maintain surface quality, prevent deposit buildup, and ensure ongoing comfort and clarity throughout the lens's lifespan.

Key Takeaways

GP care uses separate solutions: daily cleaner, conditioning/disinfecting solution, and optional wetting drops
Mechanical rubbing with daily cleaner is essential for deposit removal
New lenses require lab cleaning to remove manufacturing residues before first wear
The Boston system is the most widely used GP care system (Advance Cleaner + Advance Conditioning Solution)
Weekly enzymatic cleaning may be needed for patients with heavy deposits
Never use soft lens MPS, tap water, or saliva with GP lenses