A Systematic Review on Multiple Purpose Solution of Contact Lens Ingredients: Benefits and Risks

Since the past decades, the prevalence of microbial keratitis (MK) has risen notably among contact lens (CL) wearers. The main contributor to this infection is the use of an inefficient CL disinfecting solution. This paper highlights a systematic review of articles from journals on the multipurpose solution (MPS) of CL ingredients available currently in the market. This review emphasizes the compositions of MPS to evaluate their effectiveness and risks to lens wearers. A search for original articles published was conducted through Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, focusing on the keywords contact lens ingredients and preservatives, MPS, polyquaternium, biguanides, and MK. A thorough review was conducted to extract the data on the subjects from the generated searches. The review revealed that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), povidone-iodine (P-I), and polyquaternium-1 (PQ-1) are the preferred MPS formulations in the current industry of CLs. These chemical ingredients are effective against causative agents of keratitis for faster disinfection and lower risks of microbial infections in CL users. Thus, proper hygienic practices must follow the guidance from the respective product manufacturers to prevent harmful risks of ocular diseases.