Impact of Protein and Lipid on Neutralization Times of Hydrogen Peroxide Care Regimens

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of protein, lipid, and lens material on the neutralization kinetics of one-step hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems. METHODS: A UV-based assay was used to determine the rate of neutralization of three one-step hydrogen peroxide systems (CIBA Vision Clear Care; CIBA Vision AOSEPT; Abbott Medical Optics UltraCare). Protein (bovine serum albumin and lysozyme) and various lipids were added to the lens cases during the neutralization phase to determine whether they influenced the rate of neutralization. Finally, rates were determined when the cases contained a silicone hydrogel lens material (lotrafilcon A) or Food and Drug Administration group IV (etafilcon A) lenses. RESULTS: Neutralization for all three systems was complete within 90 minutes. The rate of neutralization for Clear Care and AOSEPT were not significantly different from each other (P=NS). UltraCare exhibited statistically higher levels of peroxide up to the 20-minute time point (P<0.001) Protein, lipid, or lens material did not significantly affect the rate of neutralization for any regimen (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: Tablet-based one-step disinfection systems neutralize at a slower rate than disc-based peroxide systems, but this difference is only significant during the first 20 minutes after the onset of neutralization. Neither lens deposition nor lens material plays a role in the speed of neutralization of peroxide-based systems.