contact lens deposits
deposits, contact lens
Accumulation of materials on or into the matrix of contact lenses. They are mainly tear components (proteins, lipids, mucin, calcium) but other materials can be found (e.g. mercurial or iron deposits, nicotine, hand cream). Deposits reduce comfort, vision, patient tolerance and discolour and spoil the lenses. They may act as antigens for the development of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Most of these deposits can be removed with a surfactant, an enzymatic system and a calcium-preventing solution.