Protein deposition on contact lenses: The past, the present, and the future.

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Protein deposition on contact lenses: The past, the present, and the future. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2012 Feb 10; Authors: Luensmann D, Jones L Abstract Proteins are a key component in body fluids and adhere to most biomaterials within seconds of their exposure. The tear film consists of more than >400 different proteins, ranging in size from 10 to 2360kDa, with a net charge of pH 1-11. Protein deposition rates on poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA) and silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses have been determined using a number of ex vivo and in vitro experiments. Ionic, high water pHEMA-based lenses attract the highest amount of tear film protein (1300?g/lens), due to an electrostatic attraction between the material and positively charged lysozyme. All other types of pHEMA-based lenses deposit typically less than 100?g/lens. Silicone hydrogel lenses attract less protein than pHEMA-based materials, with