SIGNIFICANCE
This investigation examines the effectiveness of several common contact lens solutions in the disinfection of
Acanthamoeba
, which causes a serious eye infection most often resulting from dysfunctional or improper use of contact lens products.
PURPOSE
Acanthamoeba
keratitis is an eye infection caused by a free-living amoeba, which can lead to extensive corneal damage and frequently blindness.
Acanthamoeba
keratitis is linked with contact lens use combined with noncompliance with contact lens care cleaning regimens. The patient's choice and use of multipurpose solutions (MPSs) continue to be a risk factor for
Acanthamoeba
keratitis. Thus, it is critical that the
Acanthamoeba
disinfection efficacy of the popular MPSs be determined. Here we compare the efficacy of seven major MPSs on the global market.
METHODS
Using standard methods of
Acanthamoeba
disinfection and quantification,
Acanthamoeba
ATCC 30461, 30868, 50370, and 50676 trophozoites were inoculated into each MPS and held for the manufacturer's recommended disinfection time.
Acanthamoeba
recovery plates were incubated for 14 days, after which positive wells were identified and cell concentrations determined using the 50% endpoint method.
RESULTS
Members of the OPTI-FREE products (Express, Replenish, and Puremoist [Alcon, Fort Worth, TX]) demonstrated significantly higher percentages of antimicrobial activity compared with the renu Advanced Formula (Bausch + Lomb, Rochester, NY), Biotrue (Bausch + Lomb), Acuvue RevitaLens (Johnson & Johnson, Santa Ana, CA), and Lite products (Cooper Vision, Scottsville, NY) for four of the trophozoite strains tested.
CONCLUSIONS
Many of the popular MPS biocides maintain little or no antimicrobial activity against
Acanthamoeba
trophozoites, and the number of biocides in an MPS does not necessarily indicate its antimicrobial activity.