Functionalized Contact Lenses for Ocular Health: Detection and Treatment of Ocular Infections with...

Ocular bacterial infections present significant treatment challenges due to the tear pH and limited retention of topical ophthalmic medications. In this study, we engineered dual-functional contact lenses (fCLs) by integrating moxifloxacin (MFX)-loaded cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with anthocyanin-based natural pH indicators. The incorporation of CNFs was designed to enhance surface hydrophilicity and facilitate MFX binding, while anthocyanin functionalization provided a visible colorimetric response to infection-associated pH changes. The structural and surface properties were characterized via UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Antibacterial and antibiofilm assays against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) revealed that the CNF-integrated lenses exhibited marked biofilm inhibition against E. coli compared to nonnanofiber controls. Furthermore, the fCLs maintained functional stability within physiological pH values (6.5-7.4). These findings demonstrate that the developed fCLs offer a promising approach to the simultaneous monitoring and management of ocular infections.