Use of bendazac lysine to limit protein deposition on soft contact lenses in vitro.

We used the heat denaturation of lysozyme to induce the in vitro formation of protein deposits on 60 poly-HEMA contact lenses (38.6% water). Each lens was individually placed in 20 mL of a 0.04% lysozyme solution. The lenses were divided into two equal groups. In the first group (30 lenses), bendazac lysine (100 mg) was added to the lysozyme solution. The second group of lenses was used as control. Quantitative analysis of protein deposits on the lenses of both groups was carried out by a colorimetric test. In the lenses where deposit formation occurred in the presence of bendazac lysine, a mean protein level of 7.17 +/- 3.42 micrograms per lens was found; in the control group the mean value was 30.6 +/- 8.22 micrograms per lens. Student's t-test showed this difference to be significant (P less than 0.001).