The effect of rigid gas permeable lens cleaners on lens parameter stability

The introduction of fluoro-silicone/acrylate rigid lens materials has provided wearers with benefits that include, among others, enhanced surface wettability. However, several reports have associated these lens materials with lens power, base curve radius and center thickness changes over time, especially with long-term use of an abrasive cleaner. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of abrasive and non-abrasive cleaners on these specific lens parameters. Twenty-four fluoro-silicone/acrylate lenses, 12 low minus and 12 high minus in power, were cleaned a total of 200 times each. Each lens was cleaned with one of-three different cleaners (1 non-abrasive and 2 abrasive) using one of two cleaning methods; palm of the hand or between the fingers (digital). Lens power was changed on 14/24 lenses (58.3 percent); the primary changes occurred with use of one of the abrasive cleaners. In addition, a slight reduction in center thickness was observed after abrasive cleaner use. Warpage occurred at a much higher rate with the digital cleaning method and with the use of an abrasive cleaner. It was concluded that practitioners should routinely reverify rigid lens power, center thickness and base curve radius; patients should be educated to carefully handle their lenses, notably cleaning them in the palm of the hand.