title: Scanning Electron Microscopy Findings With Energy-Dispersive X-ray Investigations of Cosmetically Tinted Contact Lenses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the surfaces and principal elements of the colorants of cosmetically tinted contact lenses (Cos-CLs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the surfaces and principal elements of the colorants of five commercially available Cos-CLs using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In two Cos-CLs, the anterior and posterior surfaces were smooth, and colorants were found inside the lens. One lens showed colorants located to a depth of 8 to 14 μm from the anterior side of the lens. In the other lens, colorants were found in the most superficial layer on the posterior surface, although a coated layer was observed. The colorants in the other three lenses were deposited on either lens surface. Although a print pattern was uniform in embedded type lenses, uneven patterns were apparent in dot-matrix design lenses. Colorants used in all lenses contained chlorine, iron, and titanium. In the magnified scanning electron microscopy images of a certain lens, chlorine is exuded and spread.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cosmetically tinted contact lenses have a wide variety of lens surfaces and colorants. Colorants may be deposited on the lens surface and consist of an element that has tissue toxicity.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology (F.H., H.E., T.M., S.M.-A., Y.M.), Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan; and Division of Chemistry (S.I.), Institute of Socio-Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
authors: Fumika
authors: F
authors: Hotta
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Eguchi
authors: Shoji
authors: S
authors: Imai
authors: Tatsuro
authors: T
authors: Miyamoto
authors: Sayaka
authors: S
authors: Mitamura-Aizawa
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Mitamura
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents