Efficacy of a one-step hydrogen peroxide system for disinfection of soft contact lenses.

We investigated the efficacy of a one-step hydrogen peroxide system by culturing soft contact lenses before and after exposure to the AOSEPT disinfection system. Sixteen of 38 soft contact lenses obtained from asymptomatic wearers showed microbial growth. Nine cultures were positive for Pseudomonas sp., four showed growth of Staphylococcus sp., two were positive for beta-hemolytic streptococci, and one culture was positive for Alcaligenes faecalis. A second culture of the contact lenses after hydrogen peroxide disinfection showed no growth in 12 of the 16 previous positive cultures. The rate of disinfection was 55% for Pseudomonas sp. and 100% for other bacteria.