Clinical Trial: The Effect of Ophthalmic Solutions on Contact Lenses Used After Surgery for Congenital Cataract Investigated in Vivo

Study Status: Not yet recruiting
Recruit Status: Not yet recruiting
Study Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Official Title: The Effect of Ophthalmic Solutions on Contact Lenses Used After Surgery for Congenital Cataract Investigated in Vivo

Brief Summary:

Patients with congenital cataract operated at St. Erik Eye Hospital are given the topical steroid dexamethasone (Isopto-Maxidex) according to a set treatment plan. They are provided a contact lens made of the polymer Filcon 4A that is frequently replaced due to the results of previous in vitro studies that have shown accumulation of preservatives in the hydrogel contact lens matrix which could question their use in combination with ophthalmic solutions. We conducted a pilot study that indicate that the results in vivo are different from the results in vitro and we suspect that insignificant amounts of dexamethasone and benzalkonium chloride are taken up by the lenses due to tear drainage.

Contact lenses from 30 patients at St. Erik Hospital that have undergone surgery for congenital cataract and are treated with eye drops containing dexamethasone and benzalkonium chloride will be collected and analyzed. Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-vis) and Laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) will be used to study uptake and release of dexamethasone and benzalkonium chloride. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to study surface morphology. Thirty Contact lenses from a control group without topical treatment will also be analyzed. Data will consist of contact lens material, wearing time, pharmaceutical agents, contact lens solution when applicable, diagnosis and possible co-morbidity.


Detailed Summary: Contact lenses are frequently used as a part of the treatment in professional hospital eye care with indications such as visual aid in keratokonus and scarred corneas and as bandage lenses shielding the cornea in various corneal diseases. An indication of great importance is the providing the visual correction in infants following surgery for congenital cataract. In Sweden, approximately 40 children are born with congenital cataract every year and more than 100 children develop cataract within the first years of life. The cataract can develop in one eye, unilateral cataract, or in both eyes, bilateral cataract. If the cataract is dense it is of great importance to remove the clouded lens as soon as possible to ensure the influx of light and to enable visual development. If the eye is big enough an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted but if the eye is to small the child is left without an implanted lens. Visual development however requires not only light influx but a sharp image on the retina and to achieve good visual function contact lenses are fitted following surgery. After cataract surgery anti-inflammatory eye drops containing steroids are prescribed for several weeks and the drops are instilled in the eye with the contact lens in place.The effects of eye drops on the contact lenses and possible secondary effects on the eye are largely unknown. The ophthalmic solutions contain active ingredients as well as preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride. Benzalkonium chloride can increase the ocular permeability but also cause irritation at higher concentrations. The uptake of these substances by the lenses can impair the optical clarity of the lenses, cause discoloration, discomfort and irritate the eye. Some studies have shown accumulation of preservatives in the hydrogel contact lens matrix which could question their use in combination with ophthalmic solutions and have led to recommendations of frequent replacement of the lenses. The effects of ophthalmic soluti
Sponsor: St. Erik Eye Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: Uptake or no uptake of dexamethasone and/or benzalkonium chloride in used contact lenses. [ Time Frame: Contact lenses will be collected and analyzed after 30 +/- 5 days of use. ]

Contact lenses from patients at St. Erik Eye Hospital that have undergone surgery for congenital cataract and are treated with eye drops containing dexamethasone and benzalkonium chloride will be collected and analyzed. Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-vis) and Laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) will be used to study uptake and release of dexamthasone and benzalkonium chloride. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to study surface morphology. Contact lenses from a control group that has had no surgery and therefore no topical treatment will also be analyzed.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: St. Erik Eye Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: April 11, 2017
Date Started: April 2017
Date Completion: December 2019
Last Updated: April 25, 2017
Last Verified: April 2017