Effect of patient wear and extent of protein deposition on adsorption of Acanthamoeba to five types of hydrogel contact lenses

Attachment of Acanthamoeba species to hydrogel contact lenses is a possible route of infection in Acanthamoeba keratitis. In this study, Acanthamoeba adsorption was compared with extent of lens deposition in worn lenses of different hydrogel polymers. After wear, lenses (80 lenses of 5 different types) were analyzed for total protein, surface area of deposition, and Acanthamoeba castellani trophozoite and cyst adsorption. Adsorption of Acanthamoeba trophozoites to worn lenses was greater than adsorption to unworn lenses for four of the five lens polymers (p < 0.01). Adsorption of cysts was greater for one of the five lens polymers (p < 0.001); all other adsorption assays showed no change with wear (p > 0.05). Adsorption was affected by both the water content and ionicity of the lens polymer. These results show that adsorption of Acanthamoeba to worn hydrogel contact lenses is greater than or equal to adsorption to unworn lenses.