Use of a human corneal epithelial cell line for screening the safety of contact lens care solutions in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Sodium fluorescein permeability assay, alamarBlue assay, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to study the effects of various contact lens disinfecting multipurpose solutions (MPS) on the integrity of the ocular surface epithelium by using corneal epithelial cells.


METHODS
The sodium fluorescein permeability and alamarBlue activity of monolayer cultures of human corneal epithelial cells were compared after exposure to ReNu MultiPlus, OPTI-FREE Express, AQuify 5 Minute, SOLO-care Plus With Aqualube, and Complete Moisture Plus contact lens care solutions for 15 minutes. Additional cell monolayers were prepared for each treatment and were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope after a 10-minute exposure.


RESULTS
The sodium fluorescein permeability assay, alamarBlue assay, and scanning electron microscopy showed that OPTI-FREE Express was significantly more damaging to the human corneal epithelial cell monolayer than ReNu MultiPlus, SOLO-care Plus With Aqualube, Complete Moisture Plus, and AQuify 5 Minute contact lens solutions. Cell monolayers treated with OPTI-FREE Express were more permeable to sodium fluorescein and showed lower metabolic activity than cell monolayers treated with the other multipurpose solutions.


CONCLUSIONS
This experiment shows that ReNu MultiPlus, SOLO-care Plus With Aqualube, Complete Moisture Plus, and AQuify 5 Minute contact lens solutions have a minimal effect on human corneal epithelial cells in culture, whereas OPTI-FREE Express has a higher negative effect on tight junctions, cell membranes, and overall metabolism of these human corneal epithelial cells.
McCanna
David J
DJ
Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY 14609, USA. dave.mccanna@bausch.com
Harrington
Karen L
KL
Driot
Jean-Yves
JY
Ward
Keith W
KW
Tchao
Ruy
R
D002460:Cell Line; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010078:Oxazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D014966:Xanthenes / Q000494:pharmacology
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010078:Oxazines; D014966:Xanthenes; C005843:resazurin; D019793:Fluorescein