BHVI

Contact lens wear, especially extended wear lenses, is associated with an increased risk of corneal infection and inflammation, caused by bacterial contamination of contact lenses. This project is aimed at creating an antibacterial contact lens to prevent bacterial adhesion and reduce the occurrence and severity of infection and inflammation.

The Institute has several current projects in this area. One project is examining the ability of selenium-coated contact lenses to control the adherence of specific bacteria to the lens surface. Selenium catalyses the formation of oxygen radicals, which then kills bacterial cells.

Research so far has demonstrated that selenium-coated lenses are able to significantly reduce the adhesion of these bacteria to the lens surface. Another project is examining the use of quorum-sensing inhibitor molecules, Furanones (Fimbrolides) and their efficacy once attached to surfaces.

Some of these new antimicrobial lens systems have been tested in short term clinical trials and been shown to be safe on an extended wear basis. We are now scaling up various forms of the antimicrobial lenses for larger scale clinical evaluation at the Institute and at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India.

Investigators

Project Leader
Assoc Prof Hua Zhu

Prof Mark Willcox
Ms Duojia Wu
Mr Jerome Ozkan

Collaborators

This research is conducted in partnership with Biosignal Ltd, Selenium Ltd, research colleagues from Australia and USA, as well as international contact lens manufacturers.

Facilities

The Antimicrobial Contact Lens studies are conducted within the Institute’s scientific laboratories and International Clinical Trials Centre. Clinical trials have also been conducted at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India.

To learn more about possible complications associated with contact lens wear click here.