What is the primary purpose of a surfactant cleaner?

The primary purpose of a surfactant cleaner is to remove loose debris from the lens surface. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of water, allowing the cleaning solution to spread and penetrate more effectively. This property makes them particularly useful in cleaning applications, as they can help dislodge and lift dirt, oils, and other contaminants from the lenses, ensuring that they are clean and clear for optimal vision.

While enhancing comfort can be an important characteristic of contact lens care products, it is not the primary role of a surfactant. Similarly, disinfection is a crucial process in lens care, but disinfectants function differently from surfactants. Lastly, increasing lens durability is generally related to the materials and coatings used in lens manufacturing rather than the action of surfactant cleaners. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the surfactant's essential role in effectively cleaning lenses by targeting and removing surface debris.