Comparison of Non-Water Proof Mascara Adhesion on the Surface of Different Two-week Frequent Replacement Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Tatsuya Mimura,1,2 Ryota Nakagomi3 1Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; 3Department of Orthoptics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Tatsuya Mimura, Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan, Tel +81-3-3964-1211, Fax +81-3-3964-1402, Email [email protected]: Cosmetic products, such as mascara, are known to adhere to the surface of silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses (SiHySCLs), potentially affecting lens performance and comfort. However, little is known about how different SiHySCL materials influence cosmetic adhesion. Recent reports suggest that the newly introduced lehfilcon A, a 2-week frequent replacement SiHySCL with Water Gradient and Celligent technology, may exhibit reduced lipid and cosmetic adherence. This study aimed to compare the adhesion of non-waterproof mascara to four types of 2-week frequent replacement SiHySCLs to better understand the impact of lens material properties on cosmetic contamination.Methods: Four variants of SiHySCLs were utilized: samfilcon A, comfilcon A, senofilcon A, and lehfilcon A (with 12 lenses in each category). Non-waterproof mascara was randomly applied in a cross-pattern on the SiHySCL surface using the Latin squares method. Microscopic photography and ImageJ analysis software were employed to assess the proportion of mascara adhering to the SiHySCL surface following a one-hour soak in saline solution.Results: The observed percentages of remaining mascara adhesion on the SiHySCL surfaces were as follows: samfilcon A (3.1± 1.7%), comfilcon A (6.0± 1.4%), senofilcon A (7.1± 1.5%), and lehfilcon A (0.9± 0.2%). Notably, lehfilcon A exhibited a significantly lower percentage of adhered non-water proof mascara compared to the other lenses (p< 0.01).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SiHySCL material properties significantly influence mascara adhesion. Among the tested lenses, lehfilcon A showed the lowest level of mascara adherence, suggesting that its Water Gradient and Celligent technology may contribute to reduced cosmetic contamination. These findings provide valuable insights for individuals who wear makeup and use SiHySCLs, as well as for future lens material development.Plain language summary: Cosmetics, like mascara, can stick to contact lenses, causing discomfort and potentially affecting vision. This study examined how well non-waterproof mascara adheres to four types of silicone hydrogel contact lenses designed for 2-week use. A special lens called lehfilcon A, featuring advanced surface technology, showed the least amount of mascara sticking to it compared to the other lenses tested. The findings suggest that lehfilcon A may be a better choice for people who wear contact lenses and use non-waterproof mascara, as it helps keep the lenses cleaner and clearer.Keywords: lehfilcon A, non-water proof mascara, silicone hydrogel, reusable silicone hydrogel soft contact lens