Scanning Electron Microscopy Findings With Energy-Dispersive X-ray Investigations of Cosmetically Tinted Contact Lenses. Issue 5 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hotta, Fumika; Eguchi, Hiroshi; Imai, Shoji; Miyamoto, Tatsuro; Mitamura-Aizawa, Sayaka; Mitamura, Yoshinori
• Is Part Of: Eye & contact lens. Volume 41:Issue 5(2015:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Contact lenses -- Periodicals; Intraocular lenses -- Periodicals; Orthokeratology -- Periodicals; Anterior segment (Eye) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.7523
• DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1542-2321

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>To investigate the surfaces and principal elements of the colorants of cosmetically tinted contact lenses (Cos-CLs).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>We analyzed the surfaces and principal elements of the colorants of five commercially available Cos-CLs using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>In two Cos-CLs, the anterior and posterior surfaces were smooth, and colorants were found inside the lens. One lens showed colorants located to a depth of 8 to 14 μm from the anterior side of the lens. In the other lens, colorants were found in the most superficial layer on the posterior surface, although a coated layer was observed. The colorants in the other three lenses were deposited on either lens surface. Although a print pattern was uniform in embedded type lenses, uneven patterns were apparent in dot-matrix design lenses. Colorants used in all lenses contained chlorine, iron, and titanium. In the magnified scanning electron microscopy images of a certain lens, chlorine is exuded and spread.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Cosmetically tinted contact lenses have a wide variety of lens surfaces and colorants. Colorants may be deposited on the lens surface and consist of an element that has tissue toxicity.</p> </sec> </abstract>