The disclosure relates to a method of sterilizing an unused contact lens to a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10 to the power -6 (which means: the contact lens is sterilized to achieve a 6 log reduction of viable microorganisms plus spores within a set period of time) comprising: sterilizing said unused contact lens with an application of electrolyzed brine as an in-package sterilizing agent wherein said electrolyzed brine is sealed with said unused contact lens in an initial packaging of said contact lens. The method may further comprise a step of heating said initial packaging to seal a foil to a container housing said contact lens and electrolyzed brine, wherein said heating is effective to at least partially sterilize said lens, and/or to promote decomposition of said electrolyzed brine.
