Clinical efficacy of standing wave and ultrasound for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of standing wave and ultrasound devices for cleaning contact lenses, the extent of coverage of an arbitrary soilant (mascara) on the surface of a high-water and a low-water content soft lens and a rigid gas permeable lens was evaluated before and after use of the Soft MateR professional Cleaning Unit (standing wave) and the SonaseptTM Ultrasonic Contact lens Cleaner and Disinfector (ultrasound). The standing wave unit removed all the mascara, but some mascara remained following ultrasound treatment. The antimicrobial efficacy of the two units was investigated by challenge with three bacteria (S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and S. marcescens) and two fungi (C. albicans and A. fumigatus). Although the viable counts of some organisms were significantly reduced, the overall data does not support the use of either device as being clinically efficacious for disinfection.