A method for studying lipid adsorption to silicone hydrogel contact lenses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an experimental methodology to measure lipid deposition with contact lenses. Contact lenses were incubated in a lipid solution. The amount and types of adsorbed lipids were assessed using mass spectrometry and confocal microscopy. The recovery of lipids from lenses varied with lipid and lens type. Most non-polar and polar lipids were desorbed from lenses during the first 5 min of extraction. Fluorescently labelled phosphatidylcholine bound within the matrix of Senofilcon A lenses but to the surface of Lotrafilcon B lenses, whereas fluorescently labelled cholesteryl ester was found throughout both lenses. The efficacy of extraction of lipids from contact lenses varies for different lipid classes and different lens materials. Differences in the amount and time of lipid desorption probably resulted from the strength of the bond between lipid and lens polymer and the depth of adsorption of lipid in the polymer.

Keywords:

• Lipids
• contact lens
• deposit and desorption
• polymer
• mass spectrometry
• extraction

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Nancy Briggs for statistical advice. Over the past five years, Mark Willcox and his research group at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW have received research funding and/or honoraria from one or more of the following companies: Alcon, Allergan, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Menicon, Ophtecs.

Declaration of interest

Alcon Research, LLCabb sponsored this study.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.