Comparative Analysis of the Osmoprotective Effects of Daily Disposable Contact Lens Packaging Solutions on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Purpose

Contact lens (CL) wear challenges the balance of the ocular surface environment by increasing water evaporation and tear osmolarity. Maintaining ocular surface homeostasis during CL wear remains a goal of lens manufacturers and an important consideration for eye care professionals. The purpose of this study was to measure the metabolic activity and inflammatory responses of a transformed human corneal epithelial cell (THCEpiC) line under hyperosmotic conditions in the presence of CL packaging solutions.

Methods

CL packaging solutions sampled from seven daily disposable silicone hydrogel CL blister packages were prepared at 25% and made hyperosmolar (400 mOsm/kg) with NaCl. THCEpiCs were incubated with each solution for 24 hr, after which cell culture supernatants were collected. THCEpiC metabolic activity was determined by an alamarBlue assay. Concentrations in cell culture supernatants of inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6) and chemokine (IL-8), as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantitated by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

THCEpiC metabolic activity under hyperosmolar conditions decreased in the presence of somofilcon A and senofilcon A solutions (p=0.04 and 0.004, respectively), but no other solution (all p≥0.09). Concentrations of IL-6 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, somofilcon A, narafilcon A, and senofilcon A solutions (all p≤0.001), but no other solution (all p≥0.08), while those of IL-8 increased in the presence of all solutions (all p≤0.03) but kalifilcon A (p>0.99), and those of MCP-1 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, verofilcon A, somofilcon A, and stenfilcon A solutions (all p<0.0001), but no other solution (all p>0.99).

Conclusion

CL packaging solutions differ in their capacity to inhibit epithelial inflammation. THCEpiC inflammatory response was less in the presence of a CL packaging solution containing osmoprotectants than in solutions lacking osmoprotectants under moderately hyperosmolar conditions in vitro. Clinical studies are warranted to further substantiate the benefit of osmoprotectants.

Keywords:

• contact lens
• cornea
• TFOS
• hyperosmolarity
• osmoprotection
• homeostasis

Data Sharing Statement

All relevant data are within the manuscript. Clarification requests around the manuscript and its data can be made to the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Vicki Barniak, Deborah McGrath, Thomas Menzel, and Marjorie Rah (all Bausch & Lomb Incorporated) for thoughtful discussions. Medical writing/editorial support was provided by Joseph Chinn (J Chinn LLC, Lafayette CO) and funded by the study sponsor.

The abstracts of this paper were presented at the virtual 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), held November 13–15, 2020, and the virtual 2021 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, held May 1–7, 2021.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

All authors are employees of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Ms Catherine Scheuer reports a patent US 17/398,556 pending to Bausch+Lomb, a patent Taiwan 110129328 pending to Bausch+Lomb, a patent PTC/EP2021/072140 pending to Bausch+Lomb. Dr William Reindel has a patent WO2022034010A1 pending to Bausch+Lomb. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.