Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
In vivo efficacy of silver-impregnated barrel contact lens storage cases
Ananya Datta1, Mark D P Willcox1, Fiona Stapleton1
1School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Purpose:
This study examined the rate and level of microbial contamination of silver and non-silver (control) barrel contact lens storage cases in vivo.
Methods:
A prospective, single-centre, randomized, double blinded, crossover study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of silver and control barrel cases used with an Oxipol™-based disinfecting solution over a two-month period. Lens cases were collected, and the frequency, type and level of microbial contamination evaluated using viable culture and standard identification methods. Questionnaires were used to assess the contact lens-related hygiene compliance of the participants.
Results:
Forty eight daily contact lens wearers completed the study. Overall, 27 % of silver and 35 % control lens cases (P > 0.05) were contaminated, predominantly with Gram-positive bacteria. Only, 12 % of participants had good compliance, with 46 % having average compliance and 43 % poor compliance. Compliance score was not associated with level of microbial contamination. However, the use of hydrogel lenses in combination with silver cases compared to non-silver barrel cases resulted significantly greater numbers of bacteria colonising cases.
Conclusion:
The present investigation demonstrated that the use of silver barrel cases does not reduce the overall rate and level of bacterial contamination, but that using hydrogel lenses in combination with silver cases resulted in higher numbers of bacteria isolated from cases.
Insights
Silver barrel contact lens cases did not reduce microbial contamination. However, using hydrogel lenses with silver cases led to significantly more bacteria in storage cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Contact lens storage cases are critical for maintaining lens hygiene.
- Microbial contamination of lens cases can lead to serious eye infections.
- Silver-impregnated materials are explored for their antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial contamination rates and levels in silver versus non-silver (control) contact lens storage cases.
- To assess the in vivo efficacy of silver barrel cases in reducing bacterial load.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, crossover study was conducted over two months.
- Participants used either silver or control barrel cases with a standard disinfecting solution.
- Lens cases were cultured to evaluate microbial contamination; participant compliance was assessed via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in overall contamination rates between silver (27%) and control (35%) cases.
- Predominant contaminants were Gram-positive bacteria.
- Hydrogel lens use with silver cases resulted in significantly higher bacterial colonization compared to control cases.
Conclusions:
- Silver barrel contact lens cases do not reduce the overall rate or level of microbial contamination.
- The combination of hydrogel lenses and silver cases may increase bacterial load in storage cases.
- Further research is needed to understand the interaction between lens materials and case composition.
