Radiochemical studies on contact lens soilation. I. Lens uptake of 14C-lysozyme from simple and complex artificial tear solutions.

A systematic study has been made of the uptake of lysozyme by various contact lens materials. Lens uptake of 14C-methylated lysozyme was assessed using simple to complex artificial tear solutions. The data reflect prominent uptake by Group IV (ionic, high-water-content) hydrogel lenses, consistent with the literature. This includes protein on the lens surface and in the lens matrix, the former being estimated at about 33% of the total deposit for the DuraSoft 3 lenses used. Uptake appears to be contingent upon the nature of the lens material, the composition of the deposit model used, and the duration of lens exposure to the artificial tear solution.