A class I (Senofilcon A) soft contact lens prevents UVB-induced ocular effects, including cataract, in the rabbit in vivo.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

UVB radiation from sunlight is known to be a risk factor for human cataract. The purpose in this study was to investigate the ability of a class I UV-blocking soft contact lens to protect against UVB-induced effects on the ocular tissues of the rabbit in vivo.

METHODS:

Eyes of rabbits were exposed to UVB light for 30 minutes (270-360 nm, peak at 310 nm, 1.7 mW/cm(2) on the cornea). Eyes were irradiated in the presence of either a UV-blocking senofilcon A contact lens, a minimally UV-blocking lotrafilcon A contact lens, or no contact lens at all. Effects on the cornea and lens were evaluated at various times after exposure.

RESULTS:

Eyes irradiated with no contact lens protection showed corneal epithelial cell loss plus lens epithelial cell swelling, vacuole formation, and DNA single-strand breaks, as well as lens anterior subcapsular opacification. The senofilcon A lens protected nearly completely against the UVB-induced effects, whereas the lotrafilcon A lens showed no protection.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that use of a senofilcon A contact lens is beneficial in protecting ocular tissues of the rabbit against the harmful effects of UVB light, including photokeratitis and cataract.

• Authors: Frank J Giblin, Li-Ren Lin, Victor R Leverenz, Loan Dang
• Journal: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci) Vol. 52 Issue 6 Pg. 3667-75 (Jun 01 2011) ISSN: 1552-5783 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21421866 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hydrogels
• Silicones
• senofilcon A

Topics

• Animals
• Cataract (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Cell Death
• Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic
• DNA Damage (radiation effects)
• Epithelial Cells (radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Epithelium, Corneal (pathology, radiation effects)
• Eye (radiation effects)
• Hydrogels
• Keratitis (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Lens, Crystalline (radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Rabbits
• Radiation Injuries, Experimental (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Radiation Protection (instrumentation)
• Silicones
• Ultraviolet Rays (adverse effects)