The effect of cleaning soft contact lenses. A scanning electron microscopic study
S. A. Fowler and M. R. Allansmith
Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the effectiveness of
surfactant and enzyme cleaners in removing coatings from soft contact
lenses. We examined ten continuously worn lenses and 15 lenses worn and
cleaned regularly for at six months. About 30% of the surface of
continuously worn lenses cleaned with surfactant or enzyme was uncoated;
smooth, matted coating covered the remainder. Continuously worn lenses
cleaned with the combination surfactant and enzyme cleaner had similar
deposits covering 50% of the surface. Lenses worn and cleaned regularly had
more deposits after cleaning with surfactant or enzyme cleaner than after
cleaning with combination cleaner. Approximately 25% of the surface of
lenses cleaned with the combination was coated with deposits. The deposits
on both types of lenses were about 30% less thick after use of the
combination cleaner than with either single cleaner. The coating on worn
contact lenses is not completely removed by any method we tested.
