Contact lens disinfection to prevent transmission of viral disease.

Current FDA standards for contact lens disinfecting systems require that viricidal activity be demonstrated against just one strain of herpes simplex virus, type 1. Small and nonenveloped viruses (e.g., adenoviruses) may be more resistant to disinfection than herpes simplex virus (HSV); however, the efficacy of disinfection systems against these other agents is not routinely tested. Currently approved methods of chemical and thermal lens disinfection do appear to be efficient means to inactivate HSV and the human immunodeficiency virus, both of which have lipid envelopes.