Attachment of Acanthamoeba to first- and second-generation silicone hydrogel contact lenses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attachment of Acanthamoeba to first- and second-generation silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and to determine if patient wear or the presence of a bacterial biofilm coating affects attachment characteristics. Acanthamoeba demonstrated a significantly greater affinity for the first-generation silicone hydrogel lens as compared with the second-generation silicone hydrogel and the conventional hydrogel. If exposed to Acanthamoeba (e.g., when showering or swimming, through noncontinuous wear and ineffective lens care regimes), first-generation silicone hydrogel lenses may promote a greater risk of Acanthamoeba infection due to the enhanced attachment characteristics of this lens material. However, prospective studies in patients are required to determine if these experimental results are clinically significant.