RGP Enzymatic cleaner - foggy vision

[Charles]

Two days ago I used some of the Boston enzymatic cleaner on my lenses -
two drops in each well with UniquePH solution (not Boston, but my doc
said it was okay). I didn't wear them yesterday, but in the evening I
pulled them from the enzyme solution, rinsed with UniquePH and put them
in fresh solution. This morning I took them out, put a drop of Systane
on the lens and put them in. Right away I had signifcantly foggy
vision that would not go away with blinking or additional drops. The
effect is similar to end of day dryness. It's better now after pulling
them out and rubbing them in solution, but still not normal. Any ideas?

Can the enzymatic cleaner harm lenses?

--

[LarryDoc]

Post by Charles
Two days ago I used some of the Boston enzymatic cleaner on my lenses -
two drops in each well with UniquePH solution (not Boston, but my doc
said it was okay). I didn't wear them yesterday, but in the evening I
pulled them from the enzyme solution, rinsed with UniquePH and put them
in fresh solution. This morning I took them out, put a drop of Systane
on the lens and put them in. Right away I had signifcantly foggy
vision that would not go away with blinking or additional drops. The
effect is similar to end of day dryness. It's better now after pulling
them out and rubbing them in solution, but still not normal. Any ideas?
Can the enzymatic cleaner harm lenses?

Doubtful. I have some theory about what might have happened. After
enzyming, it is often best to clean again with a surfactant cleaner
prior to applying wetting solution, or better still, re-soak in storage
solution (especially for some of the higher DK and plasma-treated
materials.)

It is possible that
1. the residual altered proteins bound to the polyethelene glycol in the
Systane and coated the lens, or

2. a chemical in the UniquePh combined with Systane and did that. If
you've used Systane following soaking in UniquePH before without
problems, that would indicate that it is the former theory, if not,
could be either scenario. Or

3. The plasma coating was damaged by the Systane. Have you used that
as a wetting drop successfully before? That can isolate that product as
a potential cause.

If thorough surfactant cleaning with *a separate* cleaner and soak in
storage solution does not restore the lens surface, you could try
Miraflow cleaner (for the added alcohol). If that doesn't work, your
lens has been damaged and should be replaced.

Personally, I've tried Systane with plasma treated lenses with really
awful results. I'd be curious to learn of *your* findings.

Note that the use of non-approved products on Menicon material lenses
voids any written or implied warranty. And they stick by that---and for
good reason.

LB, O.D.

[Charles]

Post by LarryDoc
Doubtful. I have some theory about what might have happened. After
enzyming, it is often best to clean again with a surfactant cleaner
prior to applying wetting solution, or better still, re-soak in
storage solution (especially for some of the higher DK and
plasma-treated materials.)
It is possible that
1. the residual altered proteins bound to the polyethelene glycol in
the Systane and coated the lens, or
2. a chemical in the UniquePh combined with Systane and did that. If
you've used Systane following soaking in UniquePH before without
problems, that would indicate that it is the former theory, if not,
could be either scenario. Or
3. The plasma coating was damaged by the Systane. Have you used
that as a wetting drop successfully before? That can isolate that
product as a potential cause.
If thorough surfactant cleaning with *a separate* cleaner and soak in
storage solution does not restore the lens surface, you could try
Miraflow cleaner (for the added alcohol). If that doesn't work, your
lens has been damaged and should be replaced.
Personally, I've tried Systane with plasma treated lenses with really
awful results. I'd be curious to learn of your findings.
Note that the use of non-approved products on Menicon material lenses
voids any written or implied warranty. And they stick by that---and
for good reason.
LB, O.D.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the sequence I listed is new to
me in numerous ways. I have used Systane (before insertion) a few
times before, but never after enzymatic cleaning, and never with
Unique-pH. I've also never used the enyzme cleaner with UpH, only
Boston. I asked my doc about this specifically, and he said it was
okay. He also recommended the Systane trick.

After about 3 hours of wear, things seem to be pretty normal. It did
take a while though.

Note that I did, in fact, soak the lenses overnight in fresh solution.
I didn't wear them in-between, and I didn't rub them before the soak, I
only rinsed them.

I'll try Systane one more time and report back if the same thing
happens again.

What counts as usage of a non-approved product? Surely I can use eye
drops, right? My eye doc suggested pretty much everything I'm doing,
for whatever that's worth.

--

[LarryDoc]

Post by Charles
What counts as usage of a non-approved product? Surely I can use eye
drops, right?

Some lens material manufacturers, like Menicon, have found that certain
products *when applied to the lens* changes the surface characteristics
or actually changes the chemistry. Some rewetting eye drops are
culprits. Some storage solutions and certainly some cleaners can damage
the lenses. I've seen that happen. Read the package insert from the
lenses.

Other companies "suggest" the use of products possibly for marketing
reasons.

The new lens chemistries are not as "inert" as in the old days. That
applies to soft as well as gas perms.

LB, O.D.