Adhesion of Transferrin to FDA Group I Contact Lenses

Adhesion of Transferrin to FDA Group I Contact Lenses

Alvin Sherman Library 4009

Contact lenses are widely used to correct vision. The adhesion of tear proteins to contact lenses contributes to lens deterioration, and may lead to vision problems and ocular pathology. Tears contain a large number of proteins, among them being lysozyme, albumin, transferrin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins and tear lipocalin. Here we report studies of the adhesion of transferrin to FDA group I (low water non-ionic polymer) contact lenses. Lenses were incubated in a solution of transferrin for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days, and transferrin adhesion was determined using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. Transferrin adsorbed to the Group I lenses in a steadily increasing pattern, which resembled the pattern seen with albumin but not with lysozyme. In contrast, the adhesion of transferrin to Group IV lenses (high water ionic polymer) resembled the pattern seen with both albumin and lysozyme. Average transferrin adhesion to all Group I lenses was 96 ug/lens (± 10), as compared to 70 (± 13) for lysozyme and 60 (± 24) for albumin.