Effects of Lens-Care Solutions on Hydrogel Lens Performance

Abstract

Significance: Lens care multipurpose solutions (MPSs) can have varying effects on contact lens (CL) surface properties and the corneal epithelium.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of newer MPS on CL comfort and dryness, prelens tear-film stability, and ocular-surface health. In vitro study was also performed to assess the effect of MPSs on CL surface properties.

Methods: Acuvue 2 CLs were soaked in control solution, Clear Care (CC), or test solutions: PureMoist, Biotrue, RevitaLens (RL), or saline solution (SS). Over four visits, subjects were exposed to control solution in one eye and to test solution in the contralateral eye for 2 hours using presoaked CLs. Contact lens comfort and dryness, ocular-surface health assessment, prelens noninvasive tear breakup time, and corneal epithelial permeability measured with fluorometry were assessed. Captive-sessile bubble technique evaluated CL wettability and viscous drag in vitro.

Results: At 10 minutes, mean comfort ± SD with PureMoist (76 ± 22) was lower than CC (86 ± 15, P = .02), Biotrue (92 ± 9, P < .005), RL (90 ± 13, P < .005), and SS (90 ± 14, P < .005). No other difference in comfort or dryness was noted. RevitaLens was associated with greater corneal epithelial permeability than CC (P = .020) and increased corneal staining compared with all MPSs (P < .005 for all). RevitaLens was also associated with longer prelens noninvasive tear breakup than CC (P < .005). In vitro results agreed with clinical findings of tear-film stability as RL reduced viscous drag. Contact lens surface wettability was enhanced by all MPSs in comparison to SS.

Conclusions: Differences of MPSs on the ocular surface were found in vivo and in vitro. RL caused the greatest corneal epithelium disruption but also associated with higher tear-film stability. The effect of MPSs on CL surface properties in vitro seems to reflect how MPSs altered prelens tear stability.