CONTACT-LENS CARE SOLUTIONS AND CORNEAL EPITHELIAL BARRIER FUNCTION -A FLUOROPHOTOMETRIC STUDY

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of residual concentrat ions of two contact lens care solutions (hydrogen peroxide and polyami nopropyl biguanide) on corneal barrier function in vivo. The barrier f unction was determined by fluorophotometric measurement of corneal epi thelial permeability in 30 contact lens wearing healthy subjects after 1 month's use of each of the solutions. Ah participants except one ha d corneal epithelial permeability values within the range for nonconta ct lens wearing healthy volunteers (0.011-0.061 and 0.008-0.090 nm/s, respectively). The deviating value (0.14 nm/s) was due to improper use of the contact lens care system. No statistical significant differenc e between the permeability values after use of the two contact lens ca re solutions was found (Wilcoxon ranked paired test: p = 0.2). It can be concluded that both solutions do not have harmful effects on cornea l epithelial barrier function, provided the handling instructions are followed.