Affiliations: Institute of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Ulm, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: M. Hessling, Department of Medical Engineering and Mechatronics, Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Allee 55, D-89081 Ulm, Germany. Tel.: +49 0 731 5028602; Fax: +49 0 731 5028505; E-mail:hessling@hs-ulm.de
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Conventional procedures for contact lens disinfection,
based on solutions with aggressive chemical ingredients, not only affect
microorganisms but operate likewise damaging towards the epithelial eye
surface. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability
of an alternative or complementary disinfection procedure for contact lenses
based on irradiation within the visible wavelength range. METHODS: Suspensions of S. auricularis, B. subtilis and E. coli
were exposed to 405 nm irradiation, for determining the disinfection
efficacy. Surviving rates were analyzed by membrane filtration as well as a
semi-quantitative analysis using DipSlides. RESULTS: A significant antibacterial effect of the 405 nm
irradiation is verifiable for all probed bacteria. Using S. auricularis,
there has been no colony forming after an irradiation exposure of 2 hours. CONCLUSION: The hitherto existing results give reason for the
assumption that violet LEDs integrated in contact lens cases will provide a
subsidiary disinfection activity and maybe even offer the reduction of
chemical ingredients in lens cleaning solutions to become gentler to the
eye. In addition the danger of a rerise of the germ concentration after the
completion of the disinfection procedure will be reduced.
