Effects of contact lens care solutions on surface exfoliation and bacterial binding to corneal epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of commercially available contact lens wetting solutions on bacterial binding and cell exfoliation rates in human corneal epithelium.


METHODS
The effects of four contact lens care solutions were tested: ReNu Multi Plus (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) multipurpose solution; OPTI-FREE Express (Alcon, Ft. Worth, TX) multipurpose solution; Complete Blink-N-Clean (Allergan, Irvine, CA) lens drops; and Lens Plus (Allergan) rewetting drops.


METHODS
Prospective, double-masked, randomized crossover clinical trial (N = 20 subjects).


METHODS
Measures of outcome included binding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) to exfoliated corneal epithelial cells, and the rate of surface cell exfoliation. Cells were collected at the baseline (pretreatment) examination and 4 days later, after subjects used the assigned solution six times daily and once again immediately before cell collection (posttreatment). Following cell collection, patients underwent 1 week of recovery, during which no drops were used, and random cross-over assignment to the next test solution.


RESULTS
Use of test solutions increased PA binding, with a range of + 11.9% to + 58.2%. Analyzed together, PA binding increased significantly (+ 29%; P = 0.02, paired t-test); Lens Plus solution alone raised PA binding levels significantly (P = 0.022, 2-way ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls [SNK] test). Exfoliation rates were decreased from -7% to -52.7%. Analyzed together, cell exfoliation decreased significantly (P = 0.004; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Individual use of OPTI-FREE decreased exfoliation significantly (P = 0.019: 2-way ANOVA, SNK test).


CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of common commercial contact lens care solutions increases PA binding and reduces corneal surface cell exfoliation. Similar effects have also been reported with contact lens wear. Taken together, the data suggest that the use of lens solution itself may play a role in increasing PA binding to corneal epithelial cells and, hence, might potentially contribute inadvertently to increased risk for lens-related microbial keratitis.
Li
Susanna L
SL
Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9057, USA.
Ladage
Patrick M
PM
Yamamoto
Takashi
T
Petroll
W Matthew
WM
Jester
James V
JV
Cavanagh
H Dwight
HD
D000328:Adult; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions