Primary preventive care refers to a number of measures taken to prevent disease or injury. Without question, preventive care is imperative in eye care. Our contact lens patients rely upon us to provide them with specific instructions on how to maintain good ocular health and avoid complications, which is why effective preventive care starts with patient education.

Preventive care is critical when prescribing a contact lens regimen. While you must consider many factors, the most important goal is to prevent contact lens-related microbial keratitis. It is true—poor patient compliance and lens hygiene are often associated with contact lens-related infections. But, even patients who demonstrate proper lens care practices are not completely immune to the risk of infection.¹ We must instill preventive care by educating our patients and providing them with the products we believe will be best for them, such as products that offer broad-spectrum microbial disinfection, which is essential in the prevention of microbial keratitis. Because there are numerous pathogens that are potentially responsible for contact lens-related infection, it is necessary to provide extensive disinfection for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba.^2,3
Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is utilized as the sole disinfecting agent in numerous multipurpose solutions. However, OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH® MPDS features a complimentary dual disinfection system that consists of both POLYQUAD® and ALDOX® antimicrobials, which broadens its spectrum of activity. POLYQUAD® antimicrobial specifically targets bacteria, and provides antimicrobial activity against fungi and Acantha-moeba.⁴ The addition of the ALDOX® antifungal agent in OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH® MPDS compliments the activity of POLYQUAD® antimicrobial and provides increased efficacy against fungi and Acanthamoeba.^5-7 ALDOX® and POLYQUAD® work together synergistically to provide comprehensive disinfection that actually exceeds the requirements set forth by the FDA and the International Organization for Standardization.⁶

Contact lens storage cases have been cited as a probable source of microorganisms that cause microbial keratitis, and contamination of the contact lens storage case has been found to occur in 30% to 80% of all contact lens wearers.^8,9 With such a high risk of contamination, it makes sense that the solution used to disinfect and store lenses should maintain potency during storage. Most contact lens wearers store their lenses for at least six to eight hours. Unfortunately, some disinfection systems are unable to maintain their antimicrobial activity during lens storage.¹⁰ However, OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH® MPDS maintains full disinfection potency during prolonged storage.

Preventive care to avoid microbial keratitis begins with prescribing the proper contact lens solution. OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH® MPDS consists of a complimentary dual disinfection system that is designed to provide antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba while maintaining potency during prolonged lens storage. Keeping your patients healthy and preventing serious consequences is the best care that you could possibly provide.

1. Najjar DM, Aktan SC, Rapuano CJ, et al. Contact lens-related corneal ulcers in compliant patients. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;137(1):170-2.
2. Fleiszig SM. The pathogenisis of contact lens-related keratitis. Optom Vis Sci. 2006;83(12):866-73.
3. Stapleton F, OzkanJ, Jalbert I, et al. Contact lens–related Acanthamoeba keratitis. Optom Vis Sci. 2009 Sep 7. [Epub ahead of print].
4.  Santodomingo-Rubio J. The comparative clinical performance of a new polyhexamethylene bigaunide vs. a polyquad-based contact lens care reime with two silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2007; 27(2):168-73.
5. Rosenthal RA, McAnally CL, McNamee LS, et al. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of a new multi-purpose disinfecting solution. CLAO J. 2000;26(3):120-6.
6. Rosenthal RA, Bell WM, Henry CL, et al. Antimicrobial spectrum of a new contact lens disinfectant. Poster presented at: American Academy of Optometry’s Annual Meeting; December, 2005, San Diego, CA.
7. Codling CE, Maillard J, Russell AD. Aspects of the antimicrobial mechanisms of a polyquaternium and amidoamide. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2003; 51(5):1153.
8. Gray TB, Cursons RT, Sherwan JF, Rose PR. Acanthamoeba, bacterial and fungal contamination of contact lens storage cases. Br J Ophthalmol. 1995;79(6):601-5.
9. Wu YT, Zhu H, Harmis NY, et al. Profile and frequency of microbial contamination of contact lens cases. Optom Vis Sci. 2010 Jan 22. [Epub ahead of print]
10. Rosenthal RA, Buck S, McAnally C, et al. Antimicrobial comparison of a new multi-purpose disinfecting solution to a 3% hydrogen peroxide system. CLAO J. 1999;25(4):213-7.
11. Miller J, Powell S, et al.  Solution recommendations for soft contact lens wearers. Poster presented at AOA. June 2010. Orlando Fla.

This column is sponsored by Alcon.