Title:The Antibacterial Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Loaded Soft Contact
Lens
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Author(s): Jactty Chew, Tommy Tong, Mun Lok Chua, Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo, Yi Xing Yap, Misni Misran and Lai Ti Gew*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti,
Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
Keywords:
Eye infections, antibacterial contact lenses, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, human corneal epithelial cells, antibacterial properties.
Abstract:
Introduction: Contact lenses coated with antibacterial agents may reduce the risk of microbial
keratitis; however, to the best of our knowledge, such contact lenses are not available on the market.
Methods: We determined the ability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs)-loaded soft contact lenses
to prevent the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Commercially acquired
sterile silicone hydrogel contact lenses were soaked in ZnO-NPs (˂50 nm) suspensions of various
concentrations, and the stability of the ZnO-NPs coating on contact lenses over 28 days was monitored
using a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The cytotoxicity effects of ZnO-NPs on human corneal epithelial
cells were evaluated using a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit.
Results: The results showed that the ZnO-NPs coating on contact lenses was optimal from day seven
onward. In the following assays, optimally, ZnO-NP-coated contact lenses were incubated with S. aureus
and P. aeruginosa suspensions (1 x 105 colony forming unit) for 24 hr at 37°C, followed by enumeration
using the plating method. Our data showed that 100 ppm of ZnO-NPs coating on contact
lenses reduced the adhesion of 69.9% and 74.6% of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa significantly
(p<0.05). The confocal laser scanning microscopic analyses were consistent with our bacterial adhesion
findings. Low cytotoxicity against human corneal epithelial cells was observed even at the highest
concentration of 300 ppm.
Conclusion: This study provides insights into the potential role of ZnO-NPs in developing contact
lenses with antibacterial properties.