Abstract
Multipurpose solutions (MPS) often contain low concentrations of boric acid as a buffering
agent. Limited published literature has suggested that boric acid and borate-buffered
MPS may alter the corneal epithelium; an effect attributed to cytotoxicity induced
by boric acid. However, this claim has not been substantiated. We investigated the
effect of treating cells with relevant concentrations of boric acid using two cytotoxicity
assays, and also assessed the impact of boric acid on corneal epithelial barrier function
by measuring TEER and immunostaining for tight junction protein ZO-1 in human corneal
epithelial cells. Boric acid was also assessed in an in vivo ocular model when administered for 28 days. Additionally, we evaluated Biotrue multi-purpose
solution, a novel borate-buffered MPS, alone and with contact lenses for ocular compatibility
in vitro and in vivo. Boric acid passed both cytotoxicity assays and did not alter ZO-1 distribution or
corneal TEER. Furthermore, boric acid was well-tolerated on-eye following repeated
administration in a rabbit model. Finally, Biotrue multi-purpose solution demonstrated
good ocular biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. This MPS was not cytotoxic and was compatible with the eye when administered alone
and when evaluated with contact lenses. We demonstrate that boric acid and a borate-buffered
MPS is compatible with the ocular environment. Our findings provide evidence that
ocular effects reported for some borate-buffered MPS may be incorrectly attributed
to boric acid and are more likely a function of the unique combination of ingredients
in the MPS formulation tested.
Abbreviations:
MPS (multi-purpose solutions), ZO-1 (zonula occuldens protein-1), HCEpiC (human corneal epithelial cells), USP (United States Pharmacopeia), MEM (Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium), HDPE (high density polyethylene), TEER (transepithelial electrical resistance), NBF (neutral buffered formalin), PCA (perchloric acid), PBS (phosphate buffered saline), BBS (borate buffered saline), SC (0.9% sodium chloride USP solution), SO (sesame oil), PV (PureVision), AVA (Acuvue Advance), CAE (corneal anterior epithelium), CS (corneal stroma), CPE (corneal posterior epithelium), ISO (International Organization for Standardization)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 09, 2010
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© 2010 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
