When I recently received my set of 3 monthly contact lenses, not only had my solution changed (which I was aware was happening), but the container to store my lenses was different. I'd had this container when I first started out with lenses, but after a few years it changed to a different one. I'm not quite sure why this time I've been sent the old style again, but hey-ho, it's good for a review!


**Design**

Barrel style in design, the transparent container has a screw on and off lid. Inside the container is a little white cage which opens either side (erm, a bit like how a venus fly trap opens). One side is labelled R for right, and one side L for left. Obviously the idea is that your contacts are stored within the same container, but in their own separate compartment. The plastic container holds about 10ml of solution. It's height is only 4.5cm and it's 2.5cm in diameter. It's weight is about 10g before adding solution. The design is very plain and simple to look at, but its practical and strong and as long as the top screws on properly you shouldn't have any leaks.

**Easy to use**

Unscrew the lid, and pull out the attached white cage. This white cage can be pulled off away from the lid, although I find that a bit annoying because its then just floating in the solution once submerged and filled. I tend therefore to make sure its always clipped into the lid so that when you take the lid off, the cage comes out with it. If its floating around in the solution on its own, it's messy trying to fish it out. Also with large fingers, its a fiddly job and not what you want to be doing in a rush.

Once the lid is unscrewed, you literally just pop your contacts into each relevant cage section, pop the sides of the cage closed, add your solution to the bottle and submerge the lid with attached cage into the solution. Obviously tighten the lid up and voila! I would say here, to make sure the cage is fully submerged, otherwise, you may find out that one of your contact lenses is dry.


**Wastage of solution**

In comparison to a flat contact lense container in the shape of a titchy pair of glasses (separate compartments to fill for each contact lense), this barrel style container holds more solution, thus meaning more wastage of solution. I find the solution isn't best left past 2 days so you're forever throwing away a fair amount of solution.

The other containers for lenses that i've had only require a cm or so of solution. If you aren't careful as to how you store your little barrel, it can often end up knocked over which is quite annoying because the lenses end up not submerged again. I've also put the barrel into my handbag incase I want to take my contacts out, and I have found it to be leaking.

This is because I haven't screwed the lid on properly, but it's something to be aware of. Although it's ideal for travelling and carrying around due to its size, its not convenient that when it falls on its side, one half of the lenses isn't submerged. I tend to use my other cases for travelling now as no matter how those cases are moved around, turned upside down etc, the solution still covers the lenses. This barrel style though is perfect and fine for being stored upright safely in a cupboard or on your side.

**Overall**

This barrel container is fab for keeping your lenses in, especially as the right and left containers mean you don't get each eye muddled up. As long as it remains upright it will keep your lenses moist and clean, however, make sure you clean out the solution regularly. It isn't any good for travel as has a tendency to fall on its sides and its possible the screw on lid won't be screwed on properly if you aren't careful or in a rush.