Protein Remover

What a protein remover does

A protein remover is the periodic deep clean in a rigid lens care routine. Tears leave protein and lipid behind on a contact lens, and on gas permeable lenses that film builds up faster than a daily rinse takes off. These products run weekly or biweekly alongside your normal solution rather than in place of it.

What we carry

• Boston One Step Liquid Enzymatic Cleaner, a box of 15 single use dispensers. One dispenser goes into your usual storage solution in the case, and the lenses soak in it.
• Menicon Progent, sold as 7 treatments. Lenses sit in the mixed solution for a short soak, with no rubbing involved.

How to choose

Both are made for rigid gas permeable lenses. Boston One Step is the lighter weight routine, built to fit inside an overnight soak you are already doing, and the 15 count box makes a weekly rhythm easy to keep. Progent is the deeper clean, used less often, in a shorter dedicated soak rather than overnight.

One compatibility note catches people out: Progent should not be used on lenses treated with Tangible Hydra-PEG, because it can damage the coating. Coatings are not obvious by looking, so if you are unsure what is on your lenses, ask the practice that fitted them.

Using them

Follow the instructions on the pack you buy. The two products work differently and their soak times are not interchangeable. Rinse and store lenses afterward the way your care system specifies, and replace the case on the schedule your practice gave you.

If deposits come back within days of a clean, or a lens goes hazy quickly, that is worth raising at your next visit. It can point to the lens surface or the wider care routine needing a look rather than a stronger cleaner.