Susan E. Burke

Retention of conditioning agent hyaluronan on hydrogel contact lenses

Hyaluronan, a member of the glycosaminoglycan family of biological polysaccharides, is a high-molecular-weight disaccharide polymer found throughout the human body, particularly in the eye. Bausch+Lomb Biotrue™ multi-purpose solution contains hyaluronan as a lens conditioning agent. The retention of hyaluronan from Biotrue multi-purpose solution to a variety of hydrogel contact lenses was evaluated over time. Fluorescein-tagged hyaluronan was allowed to adhere to lenses, which were then rinsed with balanced salt solution at a rate comparable to human tear secretion. Results demonstrated that hyaluronan was released slowly throughout the rinse period. The chemistry of the lens materials appeared to contribute to the hyaluronan retention capacity for each lens type. The results suggest that a multi-purpose solution containing hyaluronan has the potential to provide lens conditioning regardless of the hydrogel contact lens used.

Comparative evaluation of multi-purpose solutions in the stabilization of tear lysozyme

The range and extent of tear proteins removed by various multi-purpose solutions has been investigated, but there is little information in the literature about their ability to prevent denaturation of tear proteins, particularly lysozyme. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of Bausch+Lomb Biotrue™ multi-purpose solution and other care solutions to affect denaturation of lysozyme using a lysozyme activity assay. The test solutions used were: Biotrue multi-purpose solution, Bausch+Lomb renu(®) fresh™, formerly ReNu MultiPlus(®), Alcon OPTI-FREE RepleniSH, Alcon OPTI-FREE EXPRESS, CIBA VISION AQuify, and AMO COMPLETE Multi-Purpose Solution Easy Rub Formula. A phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution served as a control. The test and control solutions containing lysozyme were exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a known denaturant of the enzyme. The assay was based on digestion of the cell wall of Micrococcus luteus in a suspension, a substrate sensitive to active lysozyme. Enzymatic activity against M. luteus was used to assess activity of lysozyme. The decrease in the turbidity of the cell wall suspension, a measure of relative enzyme activity, was determined by following the decrease in absorbance (at 450nm) over time using a spectrophotometer. Statistically significant greater stabilization of lysozyme was observed with Biotrue multi-purpose solution and renu fresh than with OPTI-FREE RepleniSH, OPTI-FREE EXPRESS, AQuify, COMPLETE Multi-Purpose Solution Easy Rub Formula, and a PBS control. The lysozyme activity assay revealed that Biotrue multi-purpose solution and renu fresh have the ability to stabilize lysozyme under conditions that typically denature the protein.

4. Contemporary research in contact lens care

As our understanding of the eye and how it works evolves, we must re-evaluate previous findings, beliefs, and methods of diagnosis and treatment. The eye has proven to be naturally adept at protecting itself from pathogenic intruders, but contact lens wear and lens cleaning products can adversely impact this innate ability. Keeping up to date on the latest information is challenging, and becomes more complex when trying to incorporate the new scientific data into clinical practice. Several factors prevent drawing a straight line from study findings to real-world results, such as patient compliance and potentially flawed diagnostic tools. In this section, we review the latest research findings and opinions related to contact lens care and further explore compliance and its effect on ocular health.