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Importance of rub and rinse in use of multipurpose contact lens solution

Hua Zhu1, Mahesh B Bandara, Ajay K Vijay

  • 1Brien Holden Vision Institute, Level 5, North Wing, Rupert Myers Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. h.zhu@brienholdenvision.org

Optometry and Vision Science : Official Publication of the American Academy of Optometry
|May 31, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The "rub and rinse" method is the most effective for cleaning contact lenses with multipurpose disinfection solutions (MPDS), ensuring better microbial removal for both silicone hydrogel and conventional lenses.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Contact lens multipurpose disinfection solutions (MPDS) have simplified lens care with "no-rub" regimens.
  • Microorganisms adhered to contact lens surfaces can exhibit reduced susceptibility to disinfection.
  • Silicone hydrogel (SHL) and conventional soft contact lenses differ in material properties, potentially affecting disinfection efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of different contact lens care regimen steps on the antimicrobial efficacy of MPDS.
  • To compare the effectiveness of MPDS with "rub and rinse," "rinse-only," and "no rub and no rinse" regimens.
  • To assess disinfection efficacy across SHL (lotrafilcon B, galyfilcon A) and conventional (etafilcon A) contact lenses.

Main Methods:

  • Commercially available MPDS containing polyquad or polyhexamethylene biguanide were tested.
  • Disinfection efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Fusarium solani, Candida albicans, and Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
  • The ISO 14729 Regimen Test procedure was employed to assess the effect of "rub and rinse," "rinse-only," and "no rub and no rinse" steps.

Main Results:

  • The "rub and rinse" regimen demonstrated the highest MPDS efficacy against all tested microorganisms, irrespective of contact lens type.
  • "No rub and no rinse" resulted in significantly higher residual microbial loads compared to other regimens (p < 0.05).
  • MPDS with polyquad outperformed polyhexamethylene biguanide in the "rinse-only" step against bacteria; galyfilcon A lenses showed significantly lower microbial recovery with "rinse-only" (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The "rub and rinse" method is the most effective contact lens cleaning regimen.
  • This regimen should be recommended for all MPDS and contact lens types, especially silicone hydrogel lenses.
  • Adherence to a thorough cleaning process is crucial for effective microbial disinfection in contact lens care.

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