Contact Lens Care: Past, Present and Future (a Literature Review)

Abstract

Introduction. The number of contact lens users continues to increase, exceeding the total of more than 125 million people in the world. The trend of modern vision correction with contact lenses is the creation of customized contact lenses and specialty lens care products that better meet the needs of patients of all age groups.Purpose. To study the evolution of contact lens care products, their properties, composition characteristics, reliability of cleaning and disinfection, advantages and disadvantages of multifunctional solutions and peroxide systems, compatibility with contact lens materials as well as the effct of contact lens care solutions on the eye microbiome based on a literature data review.Material and methods. The analysis of scientifi publications available on Pubmed, BCLA, Elibrary, Elsevier and Medline for the last 20 years was carried out; 48 sources of literature were analyzed.Results. The analysis of literature has shown that the evolution of both contact lenses and contact lens care products has tightened the control over the safety of wearing. We have studied not only the composition and characteristics of each component of contact lens care and disinfection systems, but also the properties of the eye microbiome and its changes whilst wearing contact lenses. It is noted that under otherwise equal conditions, peroxide systems for contact lens care provide more reliable protection against contamination of all types of lenses, as well as ensure a better disinfection, protecting the eye from possible microbial, toxic and allergic complications. We also analyzed patients’ behavior and identifid their concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusion. The patient’s choice of a lens care product must be approved by contact lens specialist and ophthalmologist. Contact lens care products should ensure perfect cleaning, maximum disinfection, hydration and be compatible with lens materials; they should be selected taking into account the patient-specifi characteristics of the ocular surface, lifestyle and health condition. It is necessary to continuously educate and inform patients about the importance of lens care products, and special attention should be paid to care during a pandemic for the safe wearing of CL.