Does Walmart’s Equate Contact Solution Work?

Contact solution is tricky. Well, that is because contacts themselves are finicky and even the smallest issues can cause irritation. Have you ever ruined a brand new contact right out of the packaging due to a small tear? Trust me, I have learned to be extra careful over the years. In addition, to being careful with your hands, the optimal contact solution needs to be used. When I was first prescribed Biofinity Toric contact lenses, the optometrist told me I had to use Opti-Free PureMoist. I was shocked when I found just how expensive this solution was. Ignoring the doctor’s advice, I tried a generic saline solution, and this was a big mistake. Luckily, I stumbled upon a product at Walmart that stated it was comparable to Opti-Free PureMoist, at a steep discount. The question is does Equate Contact Solution work properly? (Also, if you care about eyecare products check out my article on Equate Lens Cleaner Spray).

Buy Equate Multi Purpose Solution

The product I am looking at today is Equate Moisture Last Multi-Purpose Solution, which is designed for soft contact lenses including silicone hydrogel lenses.

• Cleans and conditions
• Removes protein
• Disinfects
• For rinsing and storage
• Comfort from insertion to removal

Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This allows me to buy more off brand products for future reviews.

Equate Moisture Last Multi Purpose Solution

You may be wondering what is the difference between a standard saline solution and the Equate Moisture Last? As there is no doubt about it, standard saline solution is always cheaper regardless of the brand. The Equate Moisture Last product aims to match some of the key active ingredients that define the name brand Opti-Free PureMoist solution. The Opti-Free PureMoist brands these special ingredients as the HydraGlyde moisture matrix, a proprietary formula that is specifically designed. And while Equate may not be able to replicate these ingredients exactly, they seem to have put together a formula that works!

Opti-Free PureMoist Ingredients

Ingredients: Sodium Citrate; Sodium Chloride; Boric Acid; Sorbitol; Aminomethylpropanol; Disodium EDTA; Two Wetting Agents (TETRONIC 1304 and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix [E0B0-41 Polyoxyethylene-Polyoxybutylene]); POLYQUAD (Polyquaternium-1) 0.001% and ALDOX (Myristamidopropyl Dimethylamine) 0.000^% Preservatives

Equate Multi Purpose Solution Ingredients

Ingredients:  A Sterile, Isotonic Solution That Contains Dimethylsulfonioacetate, Nonsulfated Glycosaminoglycan, Polyoxyethylene-Polyoxypropylene Block Copolymer, Boric Acid, Sodium Borate, Edetate Disodium And Sodium Chloride And Preserved With A Dual Disinfection System (Polyaminopropyl Biguanide 0.00013% And Polyquaternium 0.0001%).

Equate Contact Solution

After an extensive month long trial, my experience has been that the Equate brand product does the job. No irritation, no discomfort, and no red eyes. Looking at the ingredients above, I can’t pinpoint exactly how they mimicked the name brand without copying the proprietary formula, but they seem to have a created a product that works..

Cleaning Soft Contact Lenses

It is important to follow the directions while changing and cleaning your contacts. They will last longer and you will be able to save money over the long run. I want to highlight a few key directions and share my insight.

• Always discard solution from lens case after each use
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use
• Store solution at room temperature
• Use before expiration date printer on the carton and bottle
• Discard any remaining solution 90 days opening

Equate Contact Lens Solution

Okay, so first off, always wash your hands when dealing with contacts. This is a no brainer. As you can see from the directions it is also important to store contact solution properly. It can be expensive and you don’t want it to lose it’s effectiveness. This leaves the age old question of using new solution everyday, versus topping off the contact solution that is already in the case. Every eyecare health professional will tell you to use new solution. Because if protein and gunk is coming off while the contacts are being stored overnight, you don’t want this to get back on your contacts. To be honest, I am guilty of topping off the contact case sometimes. While, I make sure to change my solution quite frequently, I don’t like wasting more solution than I need to.

It is also important to change your contact case every few weeks. I have a big bag of these and a system in place. I keep one bag labeled dirty, and another labeled clean. Then I can switch out my case every few weeks and put in the proper bag. When the the bag of dirty cases accumulates, I will boil these in water to disinfect. Over time, if any if the case get worn down or dirty I will discard. Before I had this system I never knew which cases laying around were dirty, and which were clean.

Walmart Opti Free Puremoist

One big question remains. What is the difference between Opti-Free Puremoist and Opti-Free Replenish? As you will see these are two distinct products. And Equate has a version that is equivalent to each one of these. Each product has unique ingredients that provide different levels of moisture and comfort.  Opti-Free Replenish is more budget friendly, offering a Dual Disinfecting Formula.

Puremoist Contact Solution

Opti-Free Puremoist is the upgraded version of Opti-Free Replenish. Opti-Free Puremoist is recommended for optimal comfort due to the HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix. This matrix surrounds the lens in a cushion of special moisture that keeps the lens hydrated, and acts as a barrier that prevents the accumulation of deposits and debris on the lens. Both will provide better results than saline solution, which should mostly be used to clean off lenses, but not for storage purposes. I recommend you try both. If the Replenish solution is effective based on your specific type of contacts, this will be more cost effective in the long run.

Opti Free Puremoist Coupon

If you must get the name brand, make sure to search around online for coupons. These are typically available. Also, you can save by purchasing the two bottle package.