[Determination of physicochemical characteristics and evaluation of decontaminating efficacy and in vitro safety of cleaning products for contact lenses].
OBJECTIVE
This work aims to characterize products designed for cleaning contact lenses and particularly their physicochemical properties, their efficiency and their ocular irritancy potential compared to the main requirements of eye-washes.


METHODS
The physicochemical controls include pH determination, viscosity and freezing point depression. In addition, we carried out the hydrogen peroxide assay for products containing this active substance. A microbiological control was performed when opening the product and after simulation of a 21-day aging. We determined the decontaminating efficacy of the products on four bacterial strains and a fungal strain. Finally, we tested their ocular allowance by an in vitro test.


RESULTS
The pH values obtained ranged from 3.2 (oxygenated water solutions) to 7.6. The viscosity was close to a water solution one (about 1 centipoise). The different assays showed hydrogen peroxide content similar to that stated on the package: rate averaged to 3% and was negligible after neutralization. At opening and after simulation the bacteriological quality was excellent. Finally, decontaminating efficiency against germs was very good for the products tested. The products were classified as non-irritant by the ocular irritancy test.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained show that the products tested met the reference criteria, particularly eye-wash criteria.
Simon
M
M
Laboratoire de Pharmacie industrielle et Cosmétologie, Université de Nantes-CAEC, Saint-Herblain.
Coiffard
L J
LJ
Rivalland
P
P
De Roeck-Holtzhauer
Y
Y
D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D005615:Freezing; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D014783:Viscosity
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions