Boston IV and Bacteria

ThaMaster · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 10:44 AM

I just read someplace that the material that lenses like Boston IV are made of not only allow oxygen to flow through them, but they also do not allow bacterial to grow on their surfaces. Can someone explain how this works without getting too technical?

Contact Lens Fitter · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2011, 09:28 PM

This is NOT correct !!! An RGP will not allow organisms into the lens matrix like a soft lens, but organisms can and do grow on the surface if not correctly cleaned.

Wookiee74 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contact Lens Fitter

This is NOT correct !!! An RGP will not allow organisms into the lens matrix like a soft lens, but organisms can and do grow on the surface if not correctly cleaned.

I wonder where ThaMaster got that information? Could the fact that an RGP lens has a very smooth surface be of any significance?

ThaMaster · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookiee74

I wonder where ThaMaster got that information? Could the fact that an RGP lens has a very smooth surface be of any significance?

Good question, Wookiee74. It's been such a long time since I posted that question that I don't remember where I heard that RGP lenses do not allow bacterial to grown on their surfaces. Do you mean to tell me that the Internet steered me wrong?
Good thing this forum is a reliable source.

Wookiee74 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaMaster

Good question, Wookiee74. It's been such a long time since I posted that question that I don't remember where I heard that RGP lenses do not allow bacterial to grown on their surfaces. Do you mean to tell me that the Internet steered me wrong?
Good thing this forum is a reliable source.

Thanks for getting back to me. Maybe I should have asked you to name your source sooner.

#6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookiee74

I wonder where ThaMaster got that information? Could the fact that an RGP lens has a very smooth surface be of any significance?

yes germs can appear and attach on both soft and Rgp lenses. However, due to the smooth surface nature of rgp lenses the chances of getting an eye infection is much much lower with rgp lenses.

I always recommend to disinfect ALL contacts before wear..its just a hygiene issue and healthier for your eyes.

DebiK · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2

yes germs can appear and attach on both soft and Rgp lenses. However, due to the smooth surface nature of rgp lenses the chances of getting an eye infection is much much lower with rgp lenses.

I always recommend to disinfect ALL contacts before wear..its just a hygiene issue and healthier for your eyes.

It's hard to think of soft contact lenses as being "rough," but I guess on a microscopic level they are. I wonder what a soft contact lens would look like under a microscope?

Jawa · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebiK

It's hard to think of soft contact lenses as being "rough," but I guess on a microscopic level they are. I wonder what a soft contact lens would look like under a microscope?

I don't know, DebiK. I tried to find a picture for you but I couldn't.

ThaMaster · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookiee74

Thanks for getting back to me. Maybe I should have asked you to name your source sooner.

I don't remember the web page, but I know I can count on Lens 101 for reliable contact lens information.

Jawa · #10 (**permalink**) 11-17-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaMaster

I don't remember the web page, but I know I can count on Lens 101 for reliable contact lens information.

That's true. If someone comes here and gives you unreliable information, someone is sure to call them out on it eventually.

ThaMaster · #11 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jawa

That's true. If someone comes here and gives you unreliable information, someone is sure to call them out on it eventually.

You're right, Jawa. I've seen that happen here before. Sometimes it isn't pretty.

Contact Lens Fitter · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2011, 03:10 PM

It's not just a matter of a 'rough' surface, although that contributes, it's water/saline content. Any number of organisms can and do infect water. Most soft CL's are 38% to 60% water. So it's not just a matter on what's on the lens, but what's in the lens. RGPs have <1% water.

luvbostonxo2's · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contact Lens Fitter

It's not just a matter of a 'rough' surface, although that contributes, it's water/saline content. Any number of organisms can and do infect water. Most soft CL's are 38% to 60% water. So it's not just a matter on what's on the lens, but what's in the lens. RGPs have <1% water.

back when people were rinsing Hard lenses under the tap it was pretty much norm. However, nowadays increasingly more eye docs are recommending saline rinsing of rgps. More sanitary I think.

luvbostonxo2's · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contact Lens Fitter

This is NOT correct !!! An RGP will not allow organisms into the lens matrix like a soft lens, but organisms can and do grow on the surface if not correctly cleaned.

agreed...never any contact lens that has not been disinfected.

Garfield21 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

back when people were rinsing Hard lenses under the tap it was pretty much norm. However, nowadays increasingly more eye docs are recommending saline rinsing of rgps. More sanitary I think.

Right. Sterile saline solution is much safer than tap water. Your local municipal tap water may be clean, but doubt if it's sterile.