[Characteristics, stability and in vitro efficacy of cleaning products for contact lenses]

We characterized some market products designed for cleaning contact lenses and we compared their properties to the main requirements of eye-washes.

We performed several physicochemical controls including pH determination, viscosity with a Baume apparatus and the decreasing of the freezing point following the method described by the French Pharmacopea. In addition, we carried out certain analytical controls, concerning three active principles (thiomersal, chlorhexidin digluconate, hydrogen peroxide), at the opening of the different package and after accelerated aging. A microbiological control was performed when opening the product and after a simulation of a 5-day aging. We finally determined the efficacy of the products on four bacterial strains for tests and of deproteinizing products on artificial dust.

The pH values obtained ranged from 4.0 (oxygenated water solutions) to 7.8. The viscosity was close to a water solution one. Contents in active substances were usually similar to those stated on the package. At opening, the bacteriological quality was excellent. But, the multidose package were highly contaminated when used. Finally decontaminating efficacy against some germs was very good for the products tested.

The results obtained show that the rincing products best answer the eye-wash criteria taken as references. Their main disadvantage is their contamination in the case of multidose packaging.