Abstract
Purpose: :
Several researchers previously reported that silicone hydrogel contact lenses (SHCLs) tend to adsorb lipophilic ingredients and we reported that some SHCLs without plasma coating were deformed when contaminated by cosmetic cleansing oil (J Jpn CL Soc 52:101-107, 2010). There are some types of daily cleaners for soft contact lenses (SCLs) on the market and one of them, MIRAFLOW® (CIBA Vision, Japan) which contains isopropanol, is very effective in cleaning up oil-based contamination on SCLs. In this study, we investigated the cleaning efficacy of some brands of daily cleaners for SHCLs contaminated by eye make-up cosmetics and cosmetic cleansing products.
Methods: :
We conducted a contamination test on five brands of SHCLs (lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, senofilcon A, balafilcon A and asmofilcon A) with various surface modifications. As a contaminant, we used pencil eyeliner and cleansing oil. The fresh wet lenses were blotted using paper wipes, and the contaminant samples were dropped on the front surfaces of the lenses. In the case of pencil eyeliner, it was directly painted on the lenses. The lenses were soaked in saline for 30 minutes after which they were placed on the palm of the hand and then rubbed 20 times by the index finger; they were then rinsed with a multipurpose solution. We observed and evaluated the contamination and the shape of each lens with an optical microscope.
Results: :
MIRAFLOW® removed the contamination by the pencil eyeliner from all of the SHCLs. However, the pencil eyeliner was not completely removed by the multipurpose solution only. In the case of contamination by cleansing oil, it was absorbed by the lenses, so it can not be removed by daily cleaners. In these cases lens deformation was observed in senofilcon A, balafilcon A and asmofilcon A which do not have plasma coating, but lotrafilcon A and lotrafilcon B which have plasma coating were not deformed. Lens deformation can not reversed by cleaning.
Conclusions: :
Using a daily cleaner was effective in removing eyeliner contamination from SHCLs, but it could not reverse deformation caused by cleansing oil contamination. Contact lens wearers who also use eye make-up cosmetics should be careful to avoid contaminating their lenses with cosmetics and cleansing products.
Keywords: contact lens • cornea: clinical science • lipids