Contact Lens Materials Research Articles

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-quaternary ammonium salt chitosan) hydrogel: A potential contact lens material with tear protein deposition resistance and antimicrobial activity.

Tear protein deposition resistance and antimicrobial property are two challenges of conventional poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) contact lenses. In this work, we developed a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-quaternary ammonium salt chitosan) hydrogel, named as p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel, using acryloyl HACC (mHACC) as a macromolecular crosslinker. With increasing the acryloyl substitution degree (14-29%) or mHACC content (2-11%), the hydrogel showed an enhanced tensile strength (432-986kPa) and Young's modulus (360-1158kPa), a decreased elongation at break (242-84%), and an increased visible light transmittance (0-95%). At an optimal acryloyl substitution degree of 26%, with the increase of mHACC content from 2% to 11%, p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel presented a decreased water contact angle from 84.6 to 55.3 degree, an increased equilibrium water content from 38% to 45%, and an enhanced oxygen permeability from 8.5 to 13.5 barrer. Due to the enhancement in surface hydrophilicity and electropositivity, p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel remarkably reduced the deposition of lysozyme, but little affected the adsorption of BSA, depending on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The antimicrobial test against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showed that p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel presented an 8-32 times higher germicidal ability than pHEMA hydrogel, indicative of a better antimicrobial activity. The in vitro cell culture of mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts and immortalized human keratinocytes showed that p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel was non-toxic. Thus, p(HEMA-co-mHACC) hydrogel with tear protein deposition resistance and antimicrobial activity is a potential candidate for contact lenses.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of brimonidine loaded silica nanoparticles-laden silicone contact lenses to manage glaucoma.

Glaucoma is treated by frequent instillation of 0.2% w/v brimonidine tartrate eye drop solution, which showed poor ocular bioavailability of 1-3%. Medicated contact lenses can be used to improve the ocular drug bioavailability. However, drug loading in the contact lens matrix showed high burst release and changes the optophysical properties of the contact lens material. In this paper, a novel brimonidine loaded silica nanoparticles-laden silicone contact lenses (Bri-Si) were designed to achieve controlled drug delivery without altering the optophysical properties of the contact lens. Silica nanoparticles were prepared by polymerizing octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) molecules at the oil/water interface of microemulsion. Traditional soaking method (Bri-SM), direct brimonidine-loading method (Bri-DL) and microemulsion-laden contact lens (Bri-ME) were developed for comparison. The Bri-Si lens showed improved swelling, transmittance, oxygen permeability and lysozyme adherence compared to Bri-SM, Bri-DL and Bri-ME lenses. The Bri-DL lens showed high brimonidine leaching during extraction and sterilization steps, with low cumulative drug release. While, Bri-Si lens show controlled brimonidine release for 144h. In a rabbit tear fluid model, the Bri-Si lens showed high brimonidine concentration for 96h compared to Bri-ME lens and eye drop therapy. Based on histopathological studies of cornea, the Bri-Si lens was found to be safe for human applications. The data demonstrated the novel application of silica nanoparticles to control brimonidine release from the contact lens without altering the optophysical properties of the contact lens.

PENGARUH LENSA KONTAK LUNAK TERHADAP KENYAMANAN PEMAKAIAN DI SMK KESEHATAN LETRIS

This study aims to determine the effect of the use of soft contacts on the comfort of wearing on students of SMK Kesehatan Letris. The study was conducted using descriptive qualitative methods to determine complaints and the impact of soft contact lenses on wearing comfort. This study involved 19 respondents aged between 16 and 17 years with details of 10 respondents in the case group and 9 respondents in the control group. The results showed that 70% of users felt a sensation of dry eyes, 80% felt that their eyes felt lumpy or uncomfortable, this was related to the selection of soft contact lenses based on 80% water content. It can be concluded that soft contact lenses affect the comfort of wearing which is related to the selection of the moisture content of the contact lens material and the humidity of the room.

Uptake and release of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) from hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses using a radiolabel methodology

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake and release of radiolabelled polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) on reusable daily wear contact lenses (CLs) over 7 days. MethodsThree silicone hydrogel (SH) contact lens materials (lotrafilcon B, balafilcon A, senofilcon A) and two conventional hydrogel (CH) materials (etafilcon A, omafilcon A) were examined. In experiment 1 (1-day study), CLs were soaked in 2 mL of phosphate buffered solution (PBS) containing radiolabelled 14C PHMB (1 µg/mL) for 8 h. The release kinetics of 14C PHMB from the CLs was measured at t = 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h in fresh 2 mL PBS. In experiment 2 (7-day study), the CLs were soaked in the 14C PHMB (1 µg/mL) solution for 8 h followed by a 16-hour release in 2 mL PBS. The lens cycle was repeated daily for 7 days. After both experiments, the residual amount of PHMB remaining within the lenses was extracted to determine the total uptake of PHMB. ResultsIn experiment 1, the total uptake of PHMB for etafilcon A was significantly greater than senofilcon A (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in total uptake of PHMB between other lens materials (p > 0.05). Etafilcon A released more PHMB compared to all other lens types over a 24-hr period (p < 0.001). In experiment 2, all CL materials continued to sorb more PHMB over time (p < 0.001). By day 7, the amount of PHMB sorbed by etafilcon A was significantly greater than senofilcon A (p = 0.02). After day 2, the CH materials released significantly more PHMB than the SH materials (p < 0.01). ConclusionThe CL materials continued to sorb PHMB with no signs of saturation after 7 days. All lens materials released a consistent amount of PHMB each day. Radioactive labelling provides a sensitive method of assessing the uptake and release of PHMB from CL materials.

HEVL and UV Transmittance Properties of a New Contact Lens Material

Purpose: A new contact lens material that provides both Class 1 ultra-violet (UV) blocking and high-energy visible light (HEVL) filtration was evaluated. The UV and HEVL transmittance properties of the new contact lens material were compared to existing contact lens materials (senofilcon A, senofilcon C, comfilcon A, and samfilcon A) and were also compared to Crizal® Prevencia® and DuraVision® BlueProtect spectacle lenses.

Water gradient surface durability and wettability of worn new monthly contact lens material

Purpose: A new contact lens material (lehfilcon A) was designed with a unique phosphorylcholine water gradient surface. This study evaluates the durability and wettability of this water gradient surface contact lens after on-eye wear.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Multipurpose Solutions Paired with Five Lens Materials Against Clinical Strains of Fusarium

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of multipurpose lens care solutions (MPS) paired with five commercially available contact lens materials according to ISO 18259 and ISO 14729. Solution and lens pairings were challenged with clinical strains of the fungal pathogen Fusarium isolated from microbial keratitis according to ISO 18259. Solution efficacy with lenses in cases was compared to baseline efficacy in test tubes at the recommended disinfection time (DT) per ISO 14729.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Multipurpose Solutions Paired with Five Lens Materials Against Clinical Strains of Bacteria and Fungi

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of multipurpose lens care solutions (MPS) paired with five commercially available contact lens materials according to ISO 18259:2014 and ISO 14729:2001. Solution and lens pairings were challenged with bacteria and fungi isolated from microbial keratitis according to ISO 18259. Solution efficacy with lenses in cases was compared to baseline efficacy in test tubes at the recommended disinfection time (DT) per ISO 14729.

Surface characterization of a new contact lens water gradient using fluorescent staining

Purpose: A fluorescently labelled C-reactive protein (CRP) was used to characterize a new contact lens material (lehfilcon A) with a water gradient surface containing embedded phosphoryl choline (PC) groups. The uniformity and functionality of these groups were verified before and after on-eye wear.

Surface softness comparison of worn contact lenses by nanoindentation

Purpose: This study was designed to measure surface softness of a new contact lens material (NCLM) with biologically inspired water gradient surface after 30 days of daily wear (DW) and 6 nights/7 days extended wear (EW). These values were compared with fresh lenses and other contact lens benchmarks.

Study of Myopia Correction Using Nanoporous Polymer Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Ophthalmic treatments using contact lenses are now used by more and more specialists around the world. Improving contact lens (CL) materials is a condition that is constantly evolving. Contact lens materials are usually composed of polymer hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. The materials used for night contact lenses are gas permeable and they gradual flatten the center of the cornea which decreases the progression of myopia or myopic astigmatism. The aim of this study is to identify, in correlation with the chemical interactions between structural components of contact lenses and their biocompatibility with the surface layer and microtopography of the cornea or sclera, different incidents that occur in patients who have used rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The study was performed on a group of 10 patients who had a follow-up period between 4 and 6 years, who presented regularly for eye examinations. The following clinical parameters were analyzed: ocular refraction before and after wearing night contact lenses, types of contact lens materials, appearance of corneal topography, biomicroscopic examination of the anterior segment of the eye, keratometry, ocular comfort, as well as other incidents regarding this type of lenses. Difficulties caused by wearing contact lenses at night arose due to poor hygiene and maintenance in two cases or due to interruption of lens wear in one case.

Development of an enzymatic method for the evaluation of protein deposition on contact lenses

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new digestion method to quantify protein deposition on contact lenses. Four silicone hydrogel and one hydrogel contact lens material were incubated in lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A, and bovine serum albumin solutions at approximate physiological concentrations and temperature. Immobilized trypsin was used to digest the protein deposits from the contact lens surfaces. The total protein absorbed to lenses was extracted and digested using sequencing grade trypsin. The tryptic peptides were quantified using selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. The concentration of surface protein deposits was either lower than or the same as the total protein for all lens types and proteins. Immobilised trypsin can digest protein deposits from the surface of contact lenses. This ability to analyse the amount of protein at a contact lens surface may help in elucidating the effect of surface deposition on clinical outcomes during lens wear.

Bimatoprost-Loaded Silica Shell-Coated Nanoparticles-Laden Soft Contact Lenses to Manage Glaucoma: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Currently, glaucoma is managed by frequent instillation of bimatoprost eye drop therapy, which showed very poor ocular bioavailability. Contact lens is widely used as medical device to improve the drug retention on the ocular tissues. However, the traditional methods of drug loading in the contact lens matrix showed high burst release and changes the optophysical properties of the contact lens material. In this paper, a novel bimatoprost-loaded silica shell nanoparticles-laden soft contact lenses were developed to achieve sustain drug delivery without altering the optophysical properties of the contact lens. Silica-shell nanoparticles were prepared using octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) and microemulsion. Traditional soaking method (SM-BT), direct bimatoprost loading method (DL-BT), and microemulsion-laden contact lens (ME-BT) were developed for comparison. The silica shell-coated nanoparticles-laden soft contact lenses (SiS-BT) showed improved swelling, transmittance, oxygen permeability, and lysozyme adherence compared to SM-BT, DL-BT, and ME-BT lenses. The DL-BT and ME-BT batch showed high bimatoprost lost/leaching during extraction and sterilization steps, with low cumulative drug release. Also, SiS-BT lens showed sustain bimatoprost release for 96 h. In a rabbit tear fluid model, the SiS-BT lens showed high bimatoprost concentration for 72 h compared to ME-BT lens and eye drop therapy. Based on histopathological studies of cornea, the SiS-BT lens was found to be safe for human applications. The data demonstrated the novel application of silica shell nanoparticles to deliver bimatoprost from the contact lens for extended period of time without altering the optophysical properties of the contact lens.

Quantitative compressive optical coherence elastography using structural OCT imaging and optical palpation to measure soft contact lens mechanical properties.

In this study, the principle of 'optical palpation' was applied to a compression optical coherence elastography (OCE) method using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Optical palpation utilizes a compliant transparent material of known mechanical properties, which acts as a stress sensor, in order to derive the mechanical properties of a sample material under examination. This technique was applied to determine the mechanical properties of soft contact lenses, with one lens being used as the compliant stress sensor and the other as the sample under investigation to extract the mechanical properties. This compliant stress sensor allowed for the stress of the compression to be measured without the use of a force sensor. The strain of the materials was measured through an automatic boundary segmentation that tracks the material thickness (of the sensor and the sample) during compression through sequential structural OCT images. A total of five contact lens combinations were tested, using three separate commercially available contact lenses with unique mechanical properties. Various combinations of contact lens materials were used to further validate the technique. The Young's modulus derived from this method was compared to nominal manufacturer's values. Both accuracy and repeatability were assessed, with highly accurate measurements obtained, with a percentage difference between the nominal and experimentally derived Young's modulus being less than 6% for all the tested combinations as well as providing a Young's modulus that was not statistically significant different (p > 0.01) to the nominal value. The results demonstrate the potential of optical palpation in OCE to accurately measure the mechanical properties of a material without the use of sophisticated electronics to capture the stress of the sample. These findings have potential to be translated into a method for tissue mechanical testing with ex vivo and in vivo clinical applications.

The effects of surface topography modification on hydrogel properties.

Hydrogel has been an attractive biomaterial for tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and contact lens materials, due to its outstanding properties, including high water content, transparency, biocompatibility, tissue mechanical matching, and low toxicity. As hydrogel commonly possesses high surface hydrophilicity, chemical modifications have been applied to achieve the optimal surface properties to improve the performance of hydrogels for specific applications. Ideally, the effects of surface modifications would be stable, and the modification would not affect the inherent hydrogel properties. In recent years, a new type of surface modification has been discovered to be able to alter hydrogel properties by physically patterning the hydrogel surfaces with topographies. Such physical patterning methods can also affect hydrogel surface chemical properties, such as protein adsorption, microbial adhesion, and cell response. This review will first summarize the works on developing hydrogel surface patterning methods. The influence of surface topography on interfacial energy and the subsequent effects on protein adsorption, microbial, and cell interactions with patterned hydrogel, with specific examples in biomedical applications, will be discussed. Finally, current problems and future challenges on topographical modification of hydrogels will also be discussed.

Effect of material and care system combination on subclinical inflammation of the ocular surface in soft contact lens wear

PurposeTo investigate the ocular subclinical inflammatory response in two soft contact lens materials when used in combination with two different care systems (‘solutions’). MethodsFifteen established soft contact lens wearers wore each of two lenses: Acuvue® 2 (CH) and Acuvue® Oasys® (SiH) or no lenses in random sequence for one week. Two care systems were used: a peroxide system: Oxysept 1 Step® (P) for the right lens and Opti-Free® Replenish® (MPS) for the left lens. After one week of lens/no lens wear, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of corneal and conjunctival regions was carried out. Density of presumed dendritic cells (DC) and ‘white spots’ (WS) were quantified. Impression cytology of the bulbar and upper eyelid margin conjunctivae was carried out and samples were analysed for CD45+, CD3+ and CD11c+ cells. ResultsThe SiH + MPS combination showed a greater inflammatory response compared to SiH + P in seven out of 12 parameters investigated (p < 0.05). The remaining five were not statistically different between the two solutions. The converse was found for the CH lens, with four of the 12 parameters showing a greater response with the P solution compared to the MPS (p < 0.05). ConclusionThis study suggests that the SiH lens investigated demonstrated an upregulated response when used with a MPS compared to a P solution whereas the converse is true for the CH lens which showed a reduced response when used with a MPS compared to a P solution. This finding aids in the understanding of the biological underpinnings of manifest corneal inflammatory events during contact lens wear.

Plasmonic contact lens materials for glucose sensing in human tears

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) contact lens materials (SERS-LM) have been developed for selective glucose detection in human tears. SERS-LM is composed of a silk fibroin (SF) layer, a layer of silver nanowires (AgNWs) coated with 4-mercaptophenyl boronic acid (MPBA), and a protection film (PF) layer in a layer-by-layer structure. SF offers a biocompatible interface and filters tear proteins larger than nanopores in the SF domain. The MPBA-coated AgNWs (AgNWs-MPBA) formed on SF creates a high density of hotspots for Raman signal enhancement, and MPBA functions as a chemical receptor that induces cis-diol complexation with a glucose molecule. The developed SERS-LM exhibits excellent glucose sensing performance in the concentration range of 500 nM - 1 mM, and the limit of detection is 211 nM. Then, the sensing capability of the SERS-LM is demonstrated using human tears before and after a meal. The tear glucose levels measured by SERS-LM represent trends of corresponding blood glucose level, confirming the feasibility of the developed SERS-LM for noninvasive glucose sensing in human tears. The developed SERS-LM is expected to be applied for various wearable-type personal health monitoring systems.

Bacterial adhesion to Conventional and Silicone hydrogel contact lenses

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the adhesion of bacteria to worn silicone hydrogel and conventional soft contact lenses.Methods: Bacterial adhesion experiments / assays were performed on 24 worn and 6 unworn soft contact lenses each of different materials (high- and low- gas permeable lenses) using the strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923.Results: P. aeruginosa adhered in increased number to worn than unworn Lotrafilcon A and conventional lenses. However, a higher number of P. aeruginosa adhered to unworn than worn Lotrafilcon B, the difference in the mean adhesion was not significant (p = 0.66). S. aureus adhered in significantly decreased number to worn Lotrafilcon A, nelfilcon A, nesofilcon A, etafilcon A and omafilcon A (p&lt;0.05); butsignificantly higher number adhered to worn than unworn polymacon (p&lt;0.05). Lens wear had no effect on the adhesion of S. aureus to Lotrafilcon B (p&gt;0.05). The least adhesion of P. aeruginosa to worn contact lenses was seen with polymacon, while S. aureus adhered in least number to worn Lotrafilcon A compared to the other contact lens materials that demonstrated the same trend in adhesion.Conclusion: The higher adhesion of P. aeruginosa to worn lenses is consistent with the claim that it is the most implicated in all culture-positive contact lens related bacterial keratitis. Lens wear has different effects on bacterial adhesion, which may be due to type of lens materials and bacterial species/genera studied.&#x0D; Keywords: Silicone hydrogel lenses, conventional lenses, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, bacterial adhesion.

Influence of Contact Lens Materials and Cleaning Procedures on Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation.

PurposeThe present study aimed to compare the existing soft contact lens (CL) materials regarding their influence on bacterial biofilm formation and adhesion susceptibility. Then, the study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various disinfecting solutions and evaluate the ability of cleaning regimens in terms of anti-bacterial adhesion and biofilm removal on different soft CL materials.MethodsBacterial biofilm formation on CLs was evaluated by biomass assay. Adhesion assay and standard plate count were carried out at time-interval periods within 24 h. Various CL disinfecting procedures were assessed for their efficacy to remove biofilm and reduce bacterial adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed for the morphological assessment of bacterial biofilm.ResultsPrinted hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) CLs significantly demonstrated more biofilm staining and bacterial attachment when compared with non-printed HEMA CLs, while the Filcon II 3 and Nesofilcon A CLs possessed less biofilm biomass and adherent cells. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa represented the highest biofilm producing bacteria on HEMA-based materials in this study. The disinfecting regimen with the highest efficacy was the two-step system, first using multipurpose disinfecting solution containing edetate disodium and sorbic acid (MPDS+EDSA), followed by soaking in multipurpose solution (MPS). The regimen demonstrated the greatest effect against the pre-formed biofilm and the adhesion activity of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa on the soft CLs. The SEM micrographs confirmed the morphological changes of bacterial biofilm after disinfecting and revealed that the two-step system treated CLs displayed less adherent bacteria.ConclusionHEMA-based soft CLs may facilitate bacterial biofilm formation and adhesion capability. The two-step system was the most effective regimen for biofilm removal, where the soaking period in the disinfecting solution of the no-rub regimen should last more than 6 h to remove pre-formed biofilm.

Changes in visual quality with soft contact lenses after the instillation of hyaluronic acid eye drops

PurposeTo evaluate the changes in visual function and anterior surface aberrations during soft contact lens (SCL) wear after the instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) eye drops with different viscosity. MethodsA prospective, randomized, and participant-masked study was performed. Twenty healthy participants (25.4 ± 2.6 years) were evaluated. Hydrogel (Ocufilcon D) and silicone-hydrogel (Somofilcon A) SCL were randomly assigned to both eyes of the same participant. Visual function in terms of high- and low-contrast corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and anterior contact lens surface aberrations (RMS HOA) were measured before and after the instillation, at different times, of different eye drops: saline (control) and 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% HA. ResultsCompared with the saline solution, during hydrogel SCL wear, there was an improvement (P < 0.05) in high-contrast CDVA after 3 and 10 min with 0.1% HA, and after 5 and 20 min with 0.2% HA. During silicone-hydrogel SCL wear, there was a deterioration (P < 0.05) in high-contrast CDVA after 1 and 30 min with 0.3% HA. Additionally, during silicone-hydrogel SCL wear, there was also a deterioration (P < 0.05) in low-contrast CDVA after 5 and 20 min with 0.3% HA. In terms of RMS HOA, there were no clinically relevant changes with both SCL. ConclusionsThe instillation of HA eye drops could have a different effect on visual quality depending on their concentration of HA, the contact lens material, its surface ionicity, or other physicochemical properties that should be studied in future studies.