What is the difference between AOSept Plus and AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde?

The disinfection is identical: both are 3% hydrogen peroxide systems neutralised by a platinum disc over about six hours. AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde adds the HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix wetting agent (EOBO-21), which helps silicone hydrogel soft lenses hold moisture through the day. Choose HydraGlyde if your lenses feel dry by evening; the classic AOSept Plus suits RGP lenses and wearers who are already comfortable.

How long do you have to soak lenses in AOSept?

At least six hours. The disc in the AOSept case needs that long to neutralise the 3% hydrogen peroxide into a mild saline. Never put a lens in your eye straight from the bottle or before the soak is complete.

What are the best eye drops for dry eyes?

There is no single “best” eye drop for dry eye, as treatment depends on the underlying cause. According to the TFOS DEWS III framework, dry eye is a multifactorial disease involving tear film instability, inflammation, and ocular surface damage. For many patients, preservative-free lubricating eye drops are recommended as first-line therapy, particularly for frequent or long-term use. An optometrist can help select drops based on tear quality, evaporation rate, and ocular surface findings.

How often should I use eye drops for dry eyes?

The frequency of eye drop use depends on symptom severity and the type of drop used. Preservative-free drops may be used multiple times per day, whereas preserved drops should be used less frequently to avoid ocular surface irritation. If drops are needed more than 4–6 times daily, clinical guidance generally recommends preservative-free formulations and a dry eye assessment.

Can you use eye drops too often?

Yes. Overuse of preserved eye drops can worsen dry eye symptoms by disrupting the tear film and irritating the ocular surface. DEWS III emphasises minimising preservative exposure and addressing underlying causes—such as meibomian gland dysfunction or inflammation—rather than relying solely on frequent lubrication.

What is the difference between Polytears, Systane, and Hylo eye drops?

Polytears, Systane, and Hylo are lubricating eye drops, but they differ in formulation, viscosity, and preservative status. Some are better suited for mild, intermittent dryness, while others are designed for more persistent symptoms or contact lens wear. Brand name alone does not determine suitability; clinical evaluation does.

Are preservative-free eye drops better for dry eyes?

For many patients, yes. Preservative-free eye drops are commonly recommended for moderate to severe dry eye, frequent use, contact lens wear, and sensitive eyes. DEWS III highlights that long-term preservative exposure can contribute to ocular surface irritation in some people.

Can contact lens wear make dry eye worse?

Contact lenses can exacerbate dry eye symptoms by disrupting tear film stability and increasing evaporation. However, with appropriate lens materials, care systems, and compatible eye drops, many contact lens wearers can remain comfortable. Drops labelled as safe for use with contact lenses are typically preferred during lens wear.

How do I know which eye drops are right for me?

Dry eye is not a single condition. Effective management requires identifying whether symptoms are driven by evaporation, aqueous deficiency, inflammation, or eyelid disease. A dry eye assessment—including tear stability, ocular surface staining, and meibomian gland evaluation—helps guide targeted treatment rather than trial-and-error.

Are thicker eye drops better than watery ones?

Not always. Thicker drops may provide longer relief but can blur vision and may not be ideal for daytime use. Thinner drops may be better tolerated but may require more frequent application. DEWS III supports matching drop viscosity to symptom pattern and lifestyle needs.

Can dry eye be treated without eye drops?

Yes. While lubricating drops are commonly used, DEWS III emphasises a stepwise approach that may include eyelid hygiene, heat therapy, management of meibomian gland dysfunction, environmental modification, and lifestyle changes such as reducing prolonged screen use. Eye drops often remain part of treatment when symptoms affect comfort or visual quality.

When should I see an optometrist for dry eyes?

Seek professional assessment if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting activities such as reading, screen use, or driving. Ongoing reliance on eye drops without improvement suggests an underlying issue that may require targeted treatment.

AOSept Plus vs AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde: Which Peroxide Lens Solution Should You Use? (NZ Guide)

Q: Is AOSept HydraGlyde discontinued?

No. The old economy pack (360ml plus 90ml travel bottle) has been withdrawn from several NZ retailers, which is why some sites list it as unavailable. The product is current and now supplied as a twin pack of 2 x 360ml plus a neutralising case, which Rose Optometry stocks in Hamilton and ships NZ-wide.

Q: Is AOSept Plus the same as Clear Care?

Essentially yes. Clear Care and Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde are Alcon's US names for the same one-step peroxide system sold in New Zealand and Australia as AOSept Plus and AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde. Use the product registered for NZ, but AOSept is the direct equivalent.

Q: What is an alternative to AOSept?

Avizor Ever Clean Plus is the main NZ alternative, a one-step peroxide system neutralised by a tablet rather than a disc, suitable for RGP, ortho-k and hybrid lenses. If you want to avoid peroxide entirely, a preservative-free multi-purpose solution is the next option, but check with your optometrist because these still contain disinfecting agents that some sensitive eyes react to.

Written by the Rose Optometry optometrist team — Jagrut Lallu, BOptom (Hons), MSc Specialty Lenses (Hons), FIAOMC, and Jacqueline Rowe, BSc Chemistry, BOptom. Therapeutic optometrists and contact lens specialists, Rose Optometry, Hamilton; New Zealand Eye Research Centre.

General information only — not a substitute for a personalised assessment. Prices and pack formats correct at 10 September 2026.

AOSept Plus is the hydrogen peroxide lens-care system we reach for most often when a patient's eyes don't tolerate preserved multi-purpose solutions. It comes in two versions — AOSept Plus and AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde — and both are sold as a twin pack (2 × 360ml plus a neutralising case). This guide explains the difference, who should use which, where it fits against Avizor Ever Clean, and what to do if you've heard it's been discontinued. You can buy the AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde twin pack from our Hamilton store for $43 with NZ-wide delivery.

What AOSept Plus actually does

Both AOSept versions are a one-step 3% hydrogen peroxide system. You put the lenses in the supplied case, fill to the line, and the platinum disc in the base of the case slowly converts the peroxide into a mild saline over about six hours. By morning there is no peroxide left — just clean, disinfected lenses sitting in something close to a preservative-free saline.

That neutralising step is the whole point. Peroxide is a strong disinfectant, and laboratory work has shown one-step peroxide systems compare well against multi-purpose solutions for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba when used correctly, though the rub-and-rinse step and case hygiene still matter.^1,2 Because the finished solution contains no chemical preservative, there is nothing left over to irritate a sensitive ocular surface — which is why we recommend it for people with dry eye, ocular allergy (common in Hamilton) or a history of solution sensitivity.

AOSept Plus vs AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde — the actual difference

The disinfection is identical: same 3% peroxide, same stabiliser, same neutralising disc. The only change in the HydraGlyde version is the addition of HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix (the wetting agent EOBO-21), which binds to the lens surface during the soak and is meant to help silicone hydrogel lenses hold moisture through the day.

	AOSept Plus	AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde
Disinfection	3% hydrogen peroxide, neutralised	3% hydrogen peroxide, neutralised
Preservatives	None after neutralisation	None after neutralisation
Wetting agent	Pluronic surfactant only	HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix (EOBO-21)
Best for	RGP / hard lenses, hydrogel soft lenses, anyone who doesn't get evening dryness	Silicone hydrogel soft lenses, wearers whose lenses feel dry by late afternoon
Pack	Twin pack 2 × 360ml + case	Twin pack 2 × 360ml + case
Rose Optometry price	Coming back to the store — ask us	$43 — in stock

In practice: if you wear a modern monthly or fortnightly silicone hydrogel lens and your eyes feel gritty by the end of the day, try HydraGlyde. If you wear rigid lenses, or you're happy with your comfort and just want the preservative-free disinfection, the classic AOSept Plus does the same job. Neither is "stronger" than the other.

Is AOSept HydraGlyde discontinued?

No — but the pack format has changed, which is where the confusion comes from. The old economy pack (360ml + 90ml travel bottle + case) has disappeared from several NZ retailers, and some chains list it as no longer available. The product itself is very much current: Alcon now supplies it as the twin pack (2 × 360ml + case), which is what we stock. If a website tells you it's discontinued, it usually means that retailer no longer carries the old economy pack.

Is AOSept Plus the same as Clear Care?

Essentially, yes. Clear Care and Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde are Alcon's names for the same one-step peroxide system in the United States. In New Zealand, Australia and much of Europe the same products are sold as AOSept Plus and AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde. Formulations can differ slightly between markets, so use the product registered for NZ, but if you've moved here from the US and were happy on Clear Care, AOSept is the direct equivalent.

What is an alternative to AOSept?

The main NZ alternative is Avizor Ever Clean Plus, another one-step peroxide system that neutralises with a tablet rather than a disc. We stock it as a 90-day supply and a multi-buy 3-pack, and it's a good choice for RGP, ortho-k and hybrid lens wearers. If you specifically want to avoid peroxide altogether, a preservative-free multi-purpose solution is the next step — but talk to us first, because "preservative-free" multi-purpose products still contain disinfecting agents that some sensitive eyes react to. Everything we carry in this category is in our hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions collection.

How to use AOSept safely

Rub and rinse each lens with the solution before it goes in the case (yes, even though the pack doesn't insist on it — it measurably improves cleaning).²
Place the lenses in the basket, fill the case to the line with fresh solution, and close it. Soak for at least six hours.
Never rinse a lens straight from the bottle and put it in your eye. Unneutralised peroxide stings badly and can damage the corneal surface. If it ever happens, flush with saline and call us.
Replace the case with every new bottle — the neutralising disc wears out.
Don't top up old solution, and don't use tap water anywhere near lenses or the case.³

Why buy AOSept from Rose Optometry

We're an independent, optometrist-owned practice in Frankton, Hamilton, and we hold stock rather than drop-shipping. At $43 the HydraGlyde twin pack is priced below the big pharmacy chains, it ships nationwide, and every order comes with free lens-care advice from an optometrist — which, for a peroxide system, is the part that actually keeps you out of trouble.

Order the AOSept Plus with HydraGlyde twin pack — $43

References

Hughes R, Kilvington S. Comparison of hydrogen peroxide contact lens disinfection systems and solutions against Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001;45(7):2038–2043.
Kilvington S, Lonnen J. A comparison of regimen methods for the removal and inactivation of bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba from two types of silicone hydrogel lenses. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2009;32(2):73–77.
Carnt N, Stapleton F. Strategies for the prevention of contact lens-related Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016;36(2):77–92.

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