The 8 Most Common Tangible Hydra-PEG Questions

For all of you prescribing or benefitting from Tangible Hydra-PEG coated lenses, we wanted to share answers to common questions we receive about how to care for your Tangible Hydra-PEG lenses!

What cleaners are compatible with Tangible Hydra-PEG?

Tangible Clean is the ideal multipurpose solution for lenses coated with Tangible Hydra-PEG for cleaning, protein removal, conditioning, disinfecting, rinsing and storing. Using Tangible Clean protects coated lenses from damage that may come from other cleaners and may eliminate the need for extra-strength cleaning solutions to remove proteins. Tangible Clean is thinner than other solutions and rinses off easily, potentially avoiding eye sensitivity and fogging associated with viscous solutions that remain on lenses upon insertion.

Other multipurpose solutions that are compatible with Tangible Hydra-PEG are: Boston Simplus (Bausch + Lomb), ClearCare (Alcon), ClearCare HydraGlyde (Alcon) and Unique pH (Menicon). Do not use alcohol-based, abrasive, enzymatic or other extra-strength cleaners on coated lenses; they will damage the coating and significantly reduce its benefits.

Can I rub Tangible Hydra-PEG coated lenses when cleaning them?

Using Tangible Clean or other compatible solution, a patient can safely rub coated lenses during cleaning without damaging them, helping to ensure the lenses are fully clean and disinfected. Rubbing lenses with incompatible cleaners will damage them.

Can I use extra-strength cleaners on Tangible Hydra-PEG lenses?

Do not use extra-strength cleaners on coated lenses. Coated lenses are inherently resistant to deposits and fogging and do not require alcohol-based, abrasive, enzymatic, or other extra-strength solutions. In fact, these strong cleaners will damage the coating, reducing its benefits.

Can I rinse Tangible Hydra-PEG  lenses with tap water?

Despite what you may have heard, it is now understood that tap water can contain microorganisms that may cause eye infections, and in severe cases, even blindness. Review more information about how tap water can damage eyes here. Tap water also does not have lubricants or surfactants contained in cleaning solutions, which means that rubbing or rinsing with tap water can actually damage or wear off the coating.

Can I store Tangible Hydra-PEG lenses dry?

Do not store coated lenses dry. This will dry out the coating and dramatically reduce its benefits. Always store coated lenses in a compatible disinfecting storage solution. For extended storage, make sure to change the contact lens solution monthly.

How long does Tangible Hydra-PEG last?

Tangible Hydra-PEG coating is permanently bonded to the surface of gas permeable lenses and is designed to last the lifetime of the lenses. However, a variety of factors may impact the durability of its benefits, including a patient’s tear composition (i.e. heavy depositors), use of incompatible cleaners, overly vigorous rubbing during cleaning, use of tap water for rubbing or rinsing, and storing lenses dry. These factors may wear down the coating and reduce its benefits, but the coating will still remain on the lenses and will continue to provide a more comfortable lens wearing experience than uncoated lenses.

Is Tangible Hydra-PEG similar to plasma treatment?

NO! Tangible Hydra-PEG coating is permanently bonded to the surface of gas permeable lenses, coating them in a thick wettable layer that effectively hides the lens from the eye, and provides benefits for the life of GP lenses. Plasma treatment is a temporary surface treatment that affects a microscopic layer of the lens and helps attract more water to the surface for a limited length of time. In fact, after one or two rubs between the fingers, the plasma layer can wear off, along with any potential benefits.

Why should I prescribe or use Tangible Hydra-PEG?

Hydrophobic lens material, a patient’s own tear composition and anatomy can make fitting challenging. Even patients that profess comfort may still require frequent cleanings and rewetting drops, and may remove their lenses early. Tangible Hydra-PEG was designed to create a better lens wearing experience by minimizing deposits and fogging, increasing lens surface water retention, improving wettability, increasing lubricity and enhancing patient comfort. Practices that prescribe the coating report fewer refits, higher patient satisfaction and more available time. Recent data showed that the coating significantly improved contact lens comfort, dry eye symptoms, dry eye signs and conjunctival papillae in moderate to severe dry eye patients.

Scleral Contact Lens Tips

For more specific information on scleral lens care tips including insertion and removal, check out our Scleral Lens Guide. We walk you through what scleral lenses are, and how to care for them throughout their lifetime. 

If you have additional questions about Tangible Hydra-PEG and its care, please check out our frequently asked questions page: https://tangiblescience.com/pages/faq