Study links hydrogel contact lens types and solutions to adverse events

Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(12):1616-1623.

Use of hydrogen peroxide solution was associated with the lowest incidence of corneal infiltration among daily hydrogel contact lens wearers, according to a study.

"The frequency of adverse events varied with silicone hydrogel contact lens and lens solution combinations ... indicating that lens material and design, type of solution and solution-lens interactions are likely contributing factors in this mode of lens wear," the study authors said.

The study included 558 patients with myopia who participated in one or more of about 40 trials for 20 hydrogel contact lens and lens solution combinations. Patient assessments were conducted at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months. Data included 840 lens-solution combinations and 2,271 participant-months.

Adverse events were defined as the first occurrence of each type per 100 participant-months for each lens-solution combination, the authors said.

Study data showed that the rate of all corneal infiltrative events was 3.1 per 100 participant-months. The rate of symptomatic corneal infiltrative events was 1.7 per 100 participant-months.

The rate of corneal infiltrative events for hydrogen peroxide solution was 0.6 per 100 participant-months. Adverse event rates were 0.8 per 100 participant-months for superior epithelial arcuate lesions, 0.04 per 100 participant-months for corneal erosion and 0.4 per 100 participant-months for contact lens papillary conjunctivitis. The rate of superior epithelial arcuate lesions varied by lens type and the rate of papillary conjunctivitis varied by type of solution used.

The rate of solution-induced corneal staining was 4.7 per 100 participant-months for all lens-solution combinations. Data showed a statistically significant association between rate of staining and lens-solution combination used (P < .001), the authors said.