This investigation compared the effects of three commercial soft contact lens solutions on the rabbit corneal epithelium. Fifteen rabbits wore lenses soaked in ReNu multi-purpose disinfecting solution, Opti-Free rinsing, disinfecting and storage solution, and neutralized AOSEPT for a period of 30 minutes. Control eyes wore lenses soaked in unpreserved saline for the same time period. Corneas were photographed by scanning electron microscopy and graded in random locations across the corneal surface. Slides of these photographs were projected at a magnification of x3000 and graded according to two scales by an observer unaware of the treatment used. The results showed a significant treatment effect, with all three experimental solutions scoring higher than controls. When the three experimental solutions were compared, corneas exposed to ReNu multi-purpose disinfecting solution showed a significantly increased effect by contingency table analysis of data from the adapted Burstein's scale.