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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
The effectiveness of several current soft contact lens care systems against Aspergillus
C G Connor1, L Presley, S M Finchum
1Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
Purpose:
Fungal contamination of contact lenses is a common occurrence. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of currently used soft contact lens care systems against Aspergillus fumigatus.
Methods:
We prepared and added 100 microL inoculums of 1 x 10(6) colony forming units/mL to each test solution. We exposed fungi to disinfectant for 4, 6, and 8 hours or to cleaning solution for 1 minute. We then diluted and plated the samples. After 48 hours, we counted the number of colony forming units.
Results:
We represented the cleaning agent results as a percentage of the number of colony forming units found in the control at the same exposure period: Quick CARE Starting Solution--0%, MiraFlow--12%, Opti-Free Daily Cleaner--41%, and PureEyes Cleaner/Rinse--82%. We calculated the percent control for 4, 6 and 8 hour exposures for each disinfecting solution: Opti-One--197%, 163%, and 109%; Quick-CARE Finishing Solution--84.6%, 55%, and 31%; ReNu--97.4%, 17%, and 4%; Complete--10%, 1%, and 0.4%; PureEyes Disinfectant/Soaking Solution--0%, 0%, and 0%; and Hydrocare--0%, 0%, and 0%.
Conclusion:
This study of contact lens care systems provides a direct comparison of their effectiveness against the same strain of Aspergillus. The results allow practitioners to select the appropriate care system for each patient.
Insights
Several contact lens care solutions effectively eliminate Aspergillus fumigatus, a common cause of fungal contamination. PureEyes Disinfectant/Soaking Solution and Hydrocare demonstrated complete effectiveness in eliminating fungi during contact lens care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fungal contamination of soft contact lenses poses a significant risk to ocular health.
- Aspergillus fumigatus is a prevalent fungal pathogen that can contaminate contact lens solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of various soft contact lens care systems against Aspergillus fumigatus.
- To provide a comparative analysis of different care systems for practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Standardized inoculums of Aspergillus fumigatus (1 x 10^6 CFU/mL) were exposed to contact lens care solutions.
- Fungi were exposed to disinfectants for 4, 6, and 8 hours, and to cleaning solutions for 1 minute.
- Colony forming units (CFUs) were enumerated after 48 hours of incubation to determine fungal viability.
Main Results:
- PureEyes Disinfectant/Soaking Solution and Hydrocare completely eliminated Aspergillus fumigatus at all tested exposure times (0% CFU).
- Complete contact lens solution showed high efficacy, with 0.4% CFU remaining after 8 hours.
- Opti-One demonstrated increased fungal survival over time (109% to 197% CFU), indicating ineffectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Certain contact lens care systems, specifically PureEyes Disinfectant/Soaking Solution and Hydrocare, are highly effective against Aspergillus fumigatus.
- The study provides crucial data for ophthalmologists and optometrists to select optimal care systems, enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of fungal keratitis.
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