써클콘택트렌즈의 단백질 침착량과 산소투과율 변화와의 상관관계

Purpose: This study investigates the correlation between the amount of tear protein deposited on circle contact lenses (hereinafter circle lenses) and oxygen transmissibility. Methods: Clear and circle etafilcon A lenses (manufactured using the sandwich method), clear and circle hilafilcon B lenses (manufactured using the micro-encapsulation method), and two polymacon circle lenses (manufactured using the sandwich method) were incubated in artificial tears to deposit protein, and their oxygen transmissibility was compared by employing the polarographic method. Results: All the tested contact lenses showed the same correlation, wherein oxygen transmissibility decreased as protein deposition increased. However, the degree of decrease in oxygen transmissibility differed according to the lens material and pigmentation method. That is, the clear and circle etafilcon A lenses showed a similar decease in oxygen transmissibility. However, the hilafilcon B lenses showed a greater decrease for the circle lens. A comparison of the polymacon-I and polymacon-II lenses, which were manufactured by different companies, showed that the difference of decrease in oxygen transmissibility was relatively large despite the fact that they were reportedly made using the same material and technique. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the decrease in oxygen transmissibility induced by deposition of tear protein may be affected not only by the material properties but also by the differences in the pigmentation process caused by the methods used to produce the lenses.