Round 2: Acetone and Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

stealer · January 9, 2013 4:42PM

Okay, let's play round two. I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. I was in a well-ventilated room and I noticed my right contact lens began to fog up after I opened the can of acetone. Now I've just read that acetone can dissolve these lenses (I'm assuming it'd take quite a while to do so) and now I'm scared out of my pants because I have now removed both lenses and my right eye is still blurry as all get-out. Oh well I guess this is what my left eye is for and maybe now I can file for a handicapped parking spot. At the very least it'll make for a great dinner story.

Somebody please tell me they have experience using acetone with hard contacts.....

Batman23 · January 9, 2013 7:34PM

I've never had any problems with Acetone and soft contact lenses. I would expect that Acetone would eat soft lenses but I don't see Acetone affecting hard glass lenses.

BTW, You're not supposed to stick your eye up to the hole and you are not supposed to inhale the fumes.

LanceNewmanOCC · January 9, 2013 9:54PM

.
i've never worn glasses or contacts so i am of no assistance.

hope everything works out

.

georgiacop50 · January 9, 2013 10:06PM

I've worked in various labs for 30+ years. General lab safety prohibits the wearing of contacts while in the lab.

BUT the rule is not enforced, and lots of folks do wear them, some of them working with acetone and other solvents. Never heard of anyone having a problem, but then again if I was braeking the safety rules and got injured as a result, I might be reluctant to report it.

jmski52 · January 9, 2013 10:12PM

Semi-permeable means that the lenses can't be glass. I'd be hesitant to wear any contacts around acetone myself. Goggles would be much preferred.

lkeigwin · January 9, 2013 10:32PM

<< Okay, let's play round two. I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. >>

You did what? I'd think more than your eyes would hurt.
Lance.

VanHalen · January 9, 2013 10:41PM

I've used acetone while wearing RGP lenses many times. Never a problem but I didn't get my eyes that close to the material!

lcoopie · January 9, 2013 10:47PM

perhaps you got a big whiff when you
put your head right over the bottle
which was kept in a warm area
when you opened it?

mariner67 · January 9, 2013 10:56PM

I strongly advise you to see a physician to make sure you are not experiencing an acute medical condition.
Best.

phnatacc · January 9, 2013 10:57PM

<< Okay, let's play round two. I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. >>

Please! No before and after pictures. I too value my eyes.

LindeDad · January 9, 2013 11:33PM

There is a reason half of the label on the can is safety precautions.

stealer · January 10, 2013 12:56AM

I'm glad some of you saw the humor in this, although I'm being entirely serious

I think I just never noticed how much I've let loose on my right eye as I haven't worn my contacts in a while and decided that yesterday would probably be the best time to do so.

Sorry, no before and after pictures on the "junk"...

Edit: Oh and Round 3: Acetone versus Running Hot Water...............

MilkmanDan · January 10, 2013 2:25AM

<< I just put my junk in the acetone bath... >>

Oh dear. I offered to help...

Barry · January 10, 2013 2:55AM

<< I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. >>

I hope you don't mean same junk referred to in the now famous response to a TSA Agent,"Don't touch my junk."

stealer · January 10, 2013 4:44AM

<< 

<< I just put my junk in the acetone bath... >>

Oh dear. I offered to help... >>

I think I'll need a hand to hold next time.

magikbilly · January 10, 2013 4:50AM

Go to a Dr.?

E

pmac · January 10, 2013 4:51AM

<< 

<< I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. >>

I hope you don't mean same junk referred to in the now famous response to a TSA Agent,"Don't touch my junk."

>>

I was hoping you'd get into this thread, being an eye doc et. al. Here's one for a real scientific paper for your profession.

WhiteTornado · January 10, 2013 4:56AM

I wear soft contact lenses and have used acetone before with no issues. I used it in a garage with the garage door open.

1Mike1 · January 10, 2013 4:57AM

Sometimes after viewing coins with a loupe for several hours (I use my right eye) my eye takes a little time to adjust back to normal.

coinsarefun · January 10, 2013 5:02AM

<< 

<< Okay, let's play round two. I just put my junk in the acetone bath while wearing my hard contact lenses. >>

You did what? I'd think more than your eyes would hurt.
Lance. >>

Lance!!!!

Barry · January 10, 2013 5:06AM

For the OP, I am an ophthalmologist (retired). Of course, nothing I say here should be considered medical advice. It is for reference only.

It's possible the acetone fumes damaged your contact lens. If so, that shouldn't affect your eye, itself. When you say your vision is blurry when you remove the lens, I assume you mean with glasses on? Blurry vision is why you wear the contacts in the first place, right?

The acetone itself would not do serious damage to the eye (other than burn/irritate) as it's almost neutral pH. If you haven't down so, rinse your eye out for a good 30 seconds with saline, or if you don't have any, tap water.

If your eye is sore or scratchy, you may have a corneal abrasion. Those usually heal within 24 hours without a problem. If it's not better by tomorrow, you should seek medical attention. Also, have your contact lens checked to make sure there's no dmage to it, before reinserting it.

mariner67 · January 10, 2013 5:09AM

"...... and now I'm scared out of my pants because I have now removed both lenses and my right eye is still blurry as all get-out."

Concern here is for a possible acute unilateral vision loss/issue.
I am not an eye doctor but know people who had this and had retinal detachments, strokes etc.
Just raising caution.
Better to be safe than sorry.
JMHO.

MilkmanDan · January 10, 2013 5:14AM

<< 

<< 

<< I just put my junk in the acetone bath... >>

Oh dear. I offered to help... >>

I think I'll need a hand to hold next time. >>

Based on the OP, I rescind any offer of hand holding!

stealer · January 10, 2013 8:02AM

Thanks guys, and thanks Barry. Honestly I think I just never realized how poor my right eyesight had become, and it took me off guard.

Also an update on Round 3: Acetone vs Running Hot Water, I took in a lungful of evaporated acetone. Apparently you're in the clear unless you inhaled so much that you begin to feel dizzy and pass out. This stuff is scary!

DieClash · January 10, 2013 8:49AM

First never put your junk in Acetone (health issues). Second, it's OK to clean your gunk (from coins) with acetone.

Finally, I wear AccuVue Night&Day brand disposable lenses. The kind you get to sleep with and wake up with clear (not blurry) vision for 30 days at a time.

I use Koinsolv (acetone is the major ingredient) often. And I've never experienced a contact lens issu with the fumes.

You can get the MSDS sheet for Acetone online, just google it.

BryceM · January 10, 2013 8:56AM

Oh please.

As chemicals go, acetone is pretty benign. Sure there are potential issues like flammability and such, but honestly - it's sold by the gallon to teen-age girls in corner drugstores. We're not talking about fuming aqua regia here. I don't intend any disrespect to the OP, but maybe home coin chemistry is better left to people who are more comfortable with that sort of thing.

stealer · January 10, 2013 9:02AM

<< Oh please.

As chemicals go, acetone is pretty benign. Sure there are potential issues like flammability and such, but honestly - it's sold by the gallon to teen-age girls in corner drugstores. We're not talking about fuming aqua regia here. I don't intend any disrespect to the OP, but maybe home coin chemistry is better left to people who are more comfortable with that sort of thing. >>

Thanks, honestly I'm not very familiar with chemicals and how strong such and such things are. I just didn't want to lose my eyesight before adulthood

epcjimi1 · January 10, 2013 9:08AM

<< This stuff is scary! >>

Eh. If you use acetone in a well ventilated area, small amount appropriate to the size of the coin in a glass container, use personal care in contact with the acetone, rinse with distilled water, I don't see scary. Then again, I like this one -

DieClash · January 10, 2013 9:10AM

<< 

<< Oh please.

As chemicals go, acetone is pretty benign. Sure there are potential issues like flammability and such, but honestly - it's sold by the gallon to teen-age girls in corner drugstores. We're not talking about fuming aqua regia here. I don't intend any disrespect to the OP, but maybe home coin chemistry is better left to people who are more comfortable with that sort of thing. >>

Thanks, honestly I'm not very familiar with chemicals and how strong such and such things are. I just didn't want to lose my eyesight before adulthood

>>

Acetone, if used safely, is very good at removing "gunk" from coins. Use it in a well ventilated area (if indoors run a ceiling fan or open a window to help dissipate the vapors). Limit skin contact and do not submit yourself to prolonged exposure to the vapors, the stuff is toxic if you over do it. So use common sense and just be careful.

I have a graduated shot glass that I fill with acetone and drop a coin in for a few minute bath. I also have a hand-hel magnifying glass that makes a perfect lid for my shot glass to prevent the liquid from evaporating rapidly, thus reducing the vapors. And my "coin" room has a ceiling fan so the air is constantly circulated thus helping to dissipate the fumes.

I would argue that aceton is NOT benign. Have you ever seen what this stuff does to plastic? I've had my share of spills. This stuff will destroy a slab and generally melts plastic in a hurry. That's why its so good at removing "gunk" from coins b/c it won't react with the metal and will remove stuff like glue and tape residue readily.

Happy Collecting!

BryceM · January 10, 2013 9:19AM

I'm not trying to be a jerk or abrasive, just putting the view forward that a solvent sold unregulated "to the masses" isn't something to fear. Blurry vision would certainly grab my attention, but the likelihood of permanent loss of eyesight in this scenario is pretty low. Ophthalmology isn't my area of specialty though.

Yes, it's a powerful solvent, but many people use such chemicals on a daily basis without much trouble. Take a few precautions and you should be just fine. If it's still to frightening too consider using, better to stick to another part of the hobby.

epcjimi1 · January 10, 2013 9:48AM

Yep. You guys are right. I should have suggested that safety equipment appropriate to the level of vapor and skin contact is available if it is a concern.

I'm wrong. Sorry.

lava · January 10, 2013 1:30PM

You don't need to use too much, just enough to fill the bottom of several glass containers. Best to use outside so you can position yourself to avoid the vapors. It still feels weird on the skin.

Round 2: Acetone and Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

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