Last updated 6/24/2021
Where did Lobob go?
Lobob products have been out of production since July 2019. This is a huge problem for the scleral lens community, as Lobob ESC has long been the most-recommended 'rub' cleaning solution for scleral lenses that are NOT coated with HydraPeg.
What is Lobob?
Lobob is a company in California that used to sell several products of interest in the scleral lens community:
- Lobob ESC, a/k/a Optimum by Lobob Extra Strength Cleaner. Some of us know it as Optimum, some of us know it as Lobob, some of us know it as ESC. By any of these names, it's still the best darned "rub" cleaning solution for scleral lenses. (Except, of course Hydra PEG coated lenses, because it will strip the coating.)
- Sof/Pro2, a Miraflow generic, which is another 'red cap' cleaner that has commonly been used for sclerals (albeit off label).
- Sundry other RGP products such as Lobob CDS, wetting drops and a hard lens cleaner.
Why is it gone? Is it coming back?
In July 2019, the contract manufacturer (Altaire Pharmaceuticals) that was making Lobob had to stop production and issue extensive recalls of more than a hundred eye care products including many generic dry eye drops and ointments. Lobob solutions were not recalled, but manufacturing of all products ceased. There has been no indication that they ever resumed.
In March 2020, the FDA issued a long, scathing warning letter to Altaire detailing their violations, ranging from data falsification to use of duct tape on the filling line. Whatever it all means, it sure did not look like a promising path to reinstatement.
Fast-forward to June 2021. The Lobob company has had two years to either find a different contract manufacturer or find a buyer able to do so, and there's no indication that they have done either. At this point I think it's fair to say it's unlikely to become available again anytime soon. If they surprise us, great!
What can I use instead of Lobob ESC?
First, please talk to your eye doctor for their specific recommendations. You can also show this information to your doctor and ask for advice.
Another alcohol-based "red-cap" cleaner?
The only red-cap cleansers popular for scleral lenses are the various Miraflow generics. These are good, but the real problem is that they just haven't been available. Here are the options that we know of. If you know of more, tell us.
Bear in mind that anything that claims to be Miraflow or be similar to Miraflow - they're basically all generics for the original Miraflow (CibaVision) which was discontinued a great many years ago.
- "Miraflow" (miraflow.com)
- Sereine ESC (on this site).
...Or a multi-purpose solution?
Any multi-purpose solution labeled for use with RGP lenses can be used on scleral lenses - with the exception that if your lens is Hydra-PEG coated, you can only use compatible solutions (Unique pH, Tangible Clean or Boston Simplus). Multi-purpose solutions aren't as effective at removing stubborn deposits as the alcohol-based cleaners, but they're much better than nothing!
ANOTHER UPDATE 2024-07-15
I contacted Dawn (ie Proctor and Gamble Products) and told them about my great results. They recommended that I specifically buy the “DAWN FREE AND CLEAR” which has not fragrance or other additives – just the base formula. I did so and I am extremely happy with the results.
NOTES
When switching “technologies” one has to be prepared to make adaptations to new variables and circumstances.
1. SUDS
When rinsing my contacts after cleaning them with the Dawn Free & Clear there are lots of suds. But this can also be extremely helpful. If one has a stopper like me, the sink fills and I have to drain the sink and continue the rinse. In doing so the amount of suds diminish linearly as I drain more and more of the Dawn infused rinse water until ultimately I get no suds. This is my indicator that I have thoroughly rinsed off all of the dawn before I check the lens and insert it. Here I visually inspect the lens and make sure that it is perfectly clean. In general I do 2 full clean rinse cycles and I get consistently perfect results.
2. VARYING FRICTION DURING RINSE PHASE
As I run water over the lens which is between my index finger and thumb while holding the lense as securely as possible I noticed that at first it is very slippery (low friction) and as I rinse off more and more of the Dawn the friction increases. (Again I am currently using a drain stopper but I have ordered strainers for the sink so I will not have to interrupt the rinse phase to drain the water). This is my secondary indicator of when the rinse cycle is complete.
3. THE DAWN BOTTLE IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS APPLICATION
The Dawn bottles are simply meant to use generous amounts of the soap and not a single drop or two as required for this application. Also excess Dawn produces more suds and is not necessary or desirable. So I will be buying a normal liquid soap bottle which will allow me to use very small quantities (1 drop or 2) to apply to each lens.
4. ECONOMICS, PERFORMANCE, AND VALUE
The cost of an 18 oz container of Dawn Free & clear is $6 or less. I expect at my age I will NEVER have to buy a second bottle and the current bottle will last the rest of my life. It works perfectly although I have to generally do 2 clean rinse cycles to get perfectly consistent results. If Lobob were still available I would probably continue to use it. But Miraflow raised the price so dramatically while reducing the bottle from Lobob’s 4 pz tp 2 oz (4 times the price for half the volume) that I was infuriated and felt I was bein exploited and ripped off.
5. CONCLUSION
I am extremely happy with the results, effectiveness, refined process, cost, and value. This is my experience and I cannot offer medical/optical advise since I am not a certified professional in this field. I can only share my experiences, evaluation, results, and lessons learned. Everyone is invited to learn from what I shared and do your own independent research, come to your conclusions, and make your own decisions as to whether this may or may not be beneficial to you according to your criteria and requirements. And I also recommend that if you have any concerns, please contact your eye care professional and RGB manufacturing companies and suppliers and even Dawn if you have questions or concerns.
UPDATE
I tried 2 different ultrasonic cleaners and ultimately my results were not as consistent and as good as I liked. So for a while I returned to Miraflow which again did perform consistently well but was horribly overpriced. I did reduce the cost by buying a large quantity for which I still pair the same amount for shipping. Eventually I decided to go back and explore other solutions. Remembering that Lobob and Miraflow are enzyme cleaners I started looking for enzyme cleaners. I have a good number of old dirty RGB lenses to test on. So I tried Clean Revolution SuperCharged Multi-Surface Cleaner which I found on Amazon for $6 for an 18 oz bottle (ie 36 time better price per oz than Miraflow even before factoring in the shipping. And I also tried Dawn dish soap. It took a few tries to adjust to different products but in then end I was successful. It took 2 to 3 cleaning procedures to get the lenses clean. And the Dawn may be better but it also comes with a lot of soap bubbles. So I worked and improved my techniques until I got consistent and repeatable great clean lenses. I put the solutions on the lenses and rubbed the lenses between my fingers for 15 to 30 seconds. Then I put the lenses in a Manually Contact Lens Washer Cleaner Plastic Lens Cleaner Case and ran cold water over the lenses to thoroughly clean them for a few minutes. And my results were both excellent and cost effective. No more getting ripped off. I cannot take responsibility for anyone else’s results but I am happy today with my results.
UPDATE ON LOBOB/MIRAFLOW
I totally gave up on Lobob and moved to Miraflow. Miraflow was the only cleaning solution that I test that was on par with Lobob. Nothing else did the job. But miraflow was far too expensive but they had a fixed fee for shipping whether you ordered 1 2 oz bottle or a hundred. I call up and cut a deal and bought a large supply which is still going strong. Then I found the REAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
Ultimately I bought an ultrasonic contact cleaner and tested it out. I did not master it at first but returned to it a couple weeks ago and got the hang of it and now it blows Lobob, Miraflow, and all else away. It totally removes all protein and hydrates the lens. I also connected a USB power monitor in front of the ultrasonic unit so I can see that it is getting power and operating correctly. Never going back to Lobob or Miraflow. Extremely happy and the feeling of not having protein on the lens is unbelievable. Very Happy. p.s. Ultrasonic cleaners on Amazon run from a few dollars up to about $90 and it is a great investment. Just do your research and get the best one you can afford.
Anybody try the European (German) version? Does it work? Is it the actual Lobob product?
apohealth.de in Germany carries LoBob. takes about 7-10 days to receive. No charge for shipping.