Keeping hands clean, especially when handling contact lenses or touching patients’ eyes, has always been essential for eye care professionals — but the COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened our awareness about its importance.
While it’s often more convenient to use hand sanitizer instead of washing hands with soap and water, alcohol-based sanitizers contain chemicals that can be hazardous, especially if they come into contact with eyes. Many hand sanitizers contain a high percentage of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which can burn the cornea. Some hand sanitizers contain other toxic ingredients that can lead to serious long-term damage if they enter the bloodstream.
Symptoms of getting alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your eye:
- Burning or stinging
- Redness or swelling
- Eye pain and irritation
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Contact lens discomfort
Why use a product that has a high rate of chemical burn right before you are going to insert or remove contact lenses?
A Better Way to Cleanse Hands
VibrantVue® — a company founded by a team of research-oriented industry experts — now offers an effective, convenient, non-irritating Hand Prep Spray to quickly clean hands without risking harm to eyes. Hand Prep is alcohol-free and uses a proprietary stable solution of 200 ppm electrolyzed Hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl and electrolyzed water – that’s it!
HOCl is a molecule found naturally in the human body and is used to fight infection. It is used to protect against toxins, help fight causes of infection (bacteria, germs, viruses), and cleanse the skin. HOCl is created using salt-water and an electrical current. The process produces no toxic chemicals, residues or fumes.
An independent testing laboratory found that the VibrantVue® formulation killed 99.8% of Human Coronavirus in 15 seconds of contact time. It also killed more than 99.9% of Adenovirus and 14 different strains of pathogenic bacteria within 15-60 seconds of contact time. Many pathogenic organisms develop resistance to antibiotics and some cleansers; this has not been shown to happen with HOCl.
When & How to Use Hand Prep Spray
Spray onto hands, covering all surfaces from wrist to fingertips.
After Hand Washing
Hand Prep Spray provides an added layer of protection after you wash your hands with soap and water. According to the American Association of Optometry, “Water can harbor harmful microorganisms that can be transferred onto the lens and subsequently onto the eye if wearers fail to dry their hands with a clean surface.”
Acanthamoeba is one of the harmful microorganisms found in tap water and can cause eye infections. HOCl, the active ingredient in our Hand Prep Spray, is effective in killing this parasite. Hand Prep Spray gives you the peace of mind that you are safely examining your patients and handling their contact lenses. Keeping a bottle of Hand Prep Spray in your exam lane or at your contact lens counter is an excellent way to ensure safe handling.
On the Go
Use VibrantVue® Hand Prep Spray instead of handwashing for an all-natural, non-irritating cleansing experience. Hand Prep Spray is a safe alternative to alcohol-based sanitizers that can cause irritation or burning. Its all-natural HOCl formula is effective against bacteria, germs and viruses.
Learn more about VibrantVue®’s Hand Prep Spray.
