Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
Lens material and formulation of multipurpose solutions affects contact lens disinfection
Lívia Santos1, Rosário Oliveira, M Elisabete C D Real Oliveira
1IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
Purpose:
To assess the disinfection efficacy of multipurpose solutions (MPS) against different bacterial species adhered either to silicon hydrogel or to conventional hydrogel contact lenses (CLs). The influences of the MPS formulation and the chemical composition of the lens material were investigated.
Methods:
This investigation followed the standard 14729, which establishes the guidelines for assessing CL disinfecting solutions. Two commercially available (Opti-Free(®) Express(®) and Renu(®) Multiplus) solutions and one recalled solution (Complete(®) MoisturePlus™) were used in this study. After disinfection, the number of survivors was estimated by the colony forming units' method.
Results:
The lens material appears to influence disinfection. The conventional hydrogel polymacon exhibited the highest disinfection scores, a fact that should be related with the lack of electrostatic attraction towards the biocides and its hydrophilicity. The MPS formulation appears to have influence in disinfection efficacy as well. For most adhered bacteria, Opti-Free(®) was capable of reducing cell concentration in 4-log.
Conclusion:
Disinfection results from multivariate factors and this study confirmed that the lens material and the MPS play a very important role in the disinfection efficacy of CL.
Related Concept Videos
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
Antimicrobial Effectiveness
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry