콘택트렌즈 관리용액의 미셀임계농도 및 표면장력과 세척력 간의 상관관계

Purpose: The present study was aimed to figure out the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for critical micelle concentration, surface tension and protein cleaning efficacy to evaluate cleaning efficacy of contact lens care products. Methods: The critical micelle concentration of surfactants and the actual concentration of surfactants in contact lens care solutions were investigated by employing references published and related information. Surface tension of contact lens care solutions was measured by surface tension device at $25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and contact lenses made of lotrafilcon A, comfilcon A and balafilcon A were washed with contact lens care solutions after the incubation in artificial tears for 14 days and their cleaning efficacy was compared. Results: Among the 22 contact lens care products, 9 products provided the label of the concentration of surfactant, and 7 products showed higher concentration of surfactant than the critical micelle concentration reported in references. As a result of measuring surface tension, the surface tension of lens care products for soft contact lens was generally lower than other care products. When examined the removal effect of protein deposited on lens surface, it was known that the care products having lower surface tension showed higher protein removal efficiency. Conclusions: The surface tension is low when surfactant concentration in contact lens care solutions is high, and the removal effect of protein deposited is accordingly increased with the decrease of surface tension. Thus, these indicate the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for cleaning efficacy.