Cellular retention on diagnostic contact lenses: an evaluation of current cleaning protocol.

AIMS

To compare cellular contamination of diagnostic contact lenses after two different cleaning methods.

METHODS

Twenty-five used diagnostic contact lenses were cleaned by two different methods and the material retained on their contact surface examined for cells. Two diagnostic contact lenses were examined using electron microscopy and surface debris was subjected to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Significantly more cells were present on used lenses compared with controls (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in total cell count between the lenses subjected to the two cleaning strategies but the lenses simply wiped clean retained marginally more nucleated cells than controls (P=0.039). Electron microscopy showed the majority of the debris on or close to the rim of the lens. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of proteinaceous material.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of cleaning method, significant cellular debris is retained on the surface of diagnostic contact lenses after use.