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Updated: May 16, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
08:28

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Published on: April 6, 2016

Broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of melimine covalently bound to contact lenses

Debarun Dutta1, Nerida Cole, Naresh Kumar

  • 1Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney NSW, Australia. debarun.dutta@unsw.edu.au

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|December 6, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study developed a stable antimicrobial contact lens coating using melimine. The new lenses effectively combat common microorganisms, including drug-resistant bacteria and Acanthamoeba, offering enhanced eye health protection.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Contact lens wear is associated with microbial keratitis.
  • Developing antimicrobial contact lenses is crucial for preventing eye infections.
  • Existing treatments often face challenges with drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a stable antimicrobial contact lens effective against key pathogens.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of melimine-coated etafilcon A lenses.
  • To ensure the safety and stability of the antimicrobial coating.

Main Methods:

  • Covalently incorporating melimine peptide into etafilcon A contact lenses.
  • Quantifying melimine on the lens surface using amino acid analysis.
  • Assessing heat stability, hydrophobicity, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity against ISO panel microorganisms, Acanthamoeba, and resistant bacterial strains.

Main Results:

  • Optimal melimine concentration determined at 152 ± 44 μg/lens.
  • Coated lenses demonstrated good hydrophilicity and were non-toxic to mammalian cells.
  • High antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Acanthamoeba castellanii, and Fusarium solani was maintained post-autoclaving, with significant reduction in bacterial adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Melimine-coated contact lenses show broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential.
  • The coating is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains.
  • Melimine represents a promising candidate for developing next-generation antimicrobial contact lenses.

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