Origin and Composition of Lipid Deposits on Soft Contact Lenses

Diet, nutraceuticals and the tear film

“…Indirect proof of an association between hypercholesterolemia and the tear lipidome is provided by the reported cases of "jelly-bump" lipid contact lens deposits in patients with elevated intakes of protein, alcohol and cholesterol (Hart et al, 1987(Hart et al, , 1986. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with dry eye in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (Moss et al, 2000) and in the Taiwan nationwide populationbased survey (Wang et al, 2012).…”

Lipid Deposition on Silicone Hydrogel Lenses, Part I: Quantification of Oleic Acid, Oleic Acid Methyl Ester, and Cholesterol

“…Cholesterol esters and triglycerides were detected in the deposits by thin layer chromatography. No evidence of microorganisms was found in the deposits by Hart et al 6 However, Hosaka 7 reported that some deposits, analyzed on contact lenses with a high water content, contained colonies of microorganisms. Hosaka also reported that deposits likely grew from imperfections in the surface of the lens (e.g., a scratch).…”

“…In another report, Bowers and Tighe 5 proposed that the primary deposit layer is composed primarily of unsaturated lipids, and the secondary and tertiary layers are mainly composed of cholesterol and cholesterol esters. In a study by Hart et al, 6 it was determined that 70% of the lipid depositors were aphakics using extended-wear lenses. Calcium was observed in the larger deposits, and staining for protein was negative within the deposits.…”

Quantitative and conformational characterization of lysozyme deposited on balafilcon and etafilcon contact lens materials

“…1,2 The deposited material includes a wide variety of proteins, lipids and mucins, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and considerable evidence exists to indicate that contact lens deposits reduce visual performance, 13 comfort [14][15][16] and in-eye wettability 17 and produce increased inflammatory complications. [18][19][20] The deposition of proteins and lipids onto contact lenses occurs rapidly [21][22][23] and the underlying principles governing this deposition are highly complex and dependent upon a number of factors.…”