Comparison of two care systems when used with low Dk and high Dk silicone/acrylate materials

Abstract

The Boston care system (a chlorhexdine preserved conditioning solution and cleaning solution) was compared to the Sherman care system (a benzyl alcohol preserved wetting/soaking solution and a cleaning/disinfecting solution) on two different silicone/acrylate lens materials. Two groups of 12 patients each were used, one group wearing a low Dk (12) material and the other a higher Dk (55) material. The patients used one care system on one lens and the other care system on the opposite lens. The study was double masked: The solutions were coded so the patients did not know the brand of the solutions, and the examiner did not know which care system was being used on which lens. Tear film break-up time on the front of the lens was measured, surface debris and peripheral corneal staining was graded at each visit over the 24 weeks. The patients completed a questionnaire at each visit. There was no significant difference between the care systems with the low Dk material, however, the Sherman system tended to perform better on the higher Dk material. Break-up time on the higher Dk material was shorter, and debris was slightly greater on the lower Dk material.