Abstract
Purpose::
To improve patient comfort with disposable soft contact lenses, the synthetic polymer filcon1B was hydrated with hyaluronic acid (HA). Incorporation of HA in the lens, its release over time, and the patients’ comfort were evaluated histologically and subjectivelly.
Methods::
HA 0.2% (0.78 MD) was incorporated at 80°C into the filcon1B contact lenses, (SAFE-GEL / REFLENS: Dk/t 35°C 32, 14.1 mm diameter). These lenses and an equivalent lens hydrated with saline, were used for histological evaluations and for a patient comfort test. Ten myopic soft contact lens wearers were enrolled and instructed to use the commercially available SAFE-GEL/REFLENS in one eye and an equivalent lens hydrated with saline in the contralateral eye, as a control, for one week in a double-masked fashion. Tolerability and comfort were evaluated. Histology of the lenses was performed using safranine staining, before and after 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 hours and 7 days of wear.
Results::
Incorporation of HA in the filcon1B lens was shown histologically by a homogenous pink safranine staining that characterized the SAFE-GEL but not the saline hydrated lenses. HA release over time from the lens was demonstrated by the time-dependent decrease in safranine staining in the SAFE-GEL lens used for up to 48 hours. In the double blind test, the SAFE-GEL lens was well tolerated and preferred over the control lens.
Conclusions::
HA was successfully incorporated into the SAFE-GEL/REFLENS. The slow release of the HA from the SAFE-GEL lens provided a continuously wetted surface, improving lens tolerance and comfort.
Keywords: contact lens • immunohistochemistry