Protective effect of lipidure on ocular surface and soft contact lens against desiccation damage

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThe insertion of a contact lens (CL) disturbs the homeostasis of the tear film, favouring its evaporation and producing friction between the lens and the eyelids and the lens and the ocular surface. These events may induce or aggravate a pre‐existing condition of eye dryness. Lipidure is a biocompatible polymer of 2‐methacryloyloxi‐ethyl‐phosphorylcholine, showing a structure similar to the phosphatidylcholine polar bases; it is endowed with excellent antifouling and moisture retaining abilities. Aim of this study has been to address the protective effects of lipidure, with or without either hyaluronic acid (HA) or hydroxyl‐propyl‐methyl‐cellulose (HPMC), on desiccation of Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cells and explanted porcine corneas. Moreover, the ability of lipidure to protect soft CL from desiccation damage and loss of transparency has also been evaluated.MethodsThe protective effect of lipidure was evaluated measuring viability on SIRC cells and explanted porcine corneas leaving them dried at 37°C, 5%CO2 and 95% humidity for 1 h. The ability of lipidure to protect soft CL from desiccation damage and loss of transparency has also been evaluated leaving them air‐dried at 26°C and 46% humidity.ResultsThe protective effect of 0.1% lipidure±HA (0.15%) or HPMC (0.3%), was compared to trehalose (3%), a sugar known in nature to protect cells from dessiccation damage. Results obtained indicate that lipidure either alone or in association with HA or HPMC is able to improve corneal epithelial cells survival under desiccation conditions, both in vitro and ex vivo, similar or even better than threalose alone. Moreover, lipidure in association with HPMC can better preserve morphology and transparency of CL from dehydration.ConclusionsIn conclusion, these studies support the use of lipidure both in artificial eye drops to protect the ocular surface form dryness, and as wetting agents for CL improve their tolerance over the eye surface.