title: Ultraviolet radiation-blocking characteristics of contact lenses: relevance to eye protection for psoralen-sensitised patients.
abstract: Nine brands of contact lens marketed as "UV protective" were tested for ultraviolet (UV) transmission in order to assess potential suitability for psoralen-sensitised patients. UV-transmission characteristics of hydrated lenses was tested with a Bentham monochromator spectro-radiometer system. All lenses showed minimal transmission loss in the visible band. The performance of the nine lenses was uniform for ultraviolet B radiation with negligible transmission, but showed variation in transmission for ultraviolet A radiation. None of the lenses complied with UV-transmission criteria used previously to assess UV-blocking spectacles. Only two lenses had UV-blocking characteristics which came close to the arbitrary criteria used. The performance of ordinary soft and hard lenses was very similar, with negligible blocking of UV radiation. None of the nine contact lenses marketed as "UV protective" excluded sufficient UVA to comply with criteria in current use to assess UV protection in spectacles for psoralen-sensitised patients. However, the improved UV-blocking characteristics of contact lenses identified in this paper compared to previous studies suggests that such a contact lens will soon become available. Meanwhile, contact lens-wearing systemically sensitised PUVA patients should continue to wear approved spectacles for eye protection whilst photosensitised with psoralen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anstey
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ansari
mesh_terms: D003261:Contact Lenses; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011835:Radiation Protection; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008730:Methoxsalen