Anti‐pseudomonal effect of nephrite‐impregnated contact lenses

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Aims/Purpose: This study investigates the efficacy of nephrite‐impregnated contact lenses (NICLs) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods: After inoculating the lenses with a standardized Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, three types of contact lenses were assessed: nephrite‐impregnated, conventional, and cosmetic. We performed a quantitative assessment of bacterial adhesion using viable cell count techniques. The lens surface characterization involved atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for detailed topographical analysis and bacterial attachment patterns. The safety evaluation in rabbits examined parameters such as corneal clarity, thickness, and endothelial cell count over time, providing a thorough assessment of biocompatibility and safety.Results: Both conventional and cosmetic CLs (n = 258 ± 2.9 × 104, 368 ± 2.2 × 104) showed significantly decreased number of attached bacteria when compared with those without nephrite impregnation (n = 134 ± 0.8 × 104, 238 ± 2.5 × 104, p < 0.0001, respectively). AFM and SEM revealed that P. aeruginosa was less attached to the nephrite‐impregnated CLs than to the conventional and cosmetic CLs, although those with nephrite impregnation had rougher surface. In the safety test, there were no significant differences in the findings between four groups, and the clarity and stability of all corneas were preserved.Conclusions: Nephrite, used in traditional medicine, is shown to reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion on CLs, potentially preventing infections. Employing the Flusier method, the study embeds nephrite in CLs, reducing bacterial attachment despite a rougher surface. Safety evaluations in rabbits reveal no significant complications, suggesting its safety. The study, however, has limitations like the short testing duration and unclear anti‐pseudomonal mechanisms. Further research is needed to validate nephrite‐impregnated CLs for human use, but this study lays a promising groundwork for developing safe, anti‐microbial CLs.