Multifunctional Nanocoatings to Overcome Contact Lenses Associated Conditions and Discomforts

While contact-lenses possess voluminous beneficial applications for visual-correction, they are also the prime threat to the development of ophthalmic impediments, e.g., infiltrative keratitis, contact-lens acute red eye, contact-lens-induced peripheral ulcer, and microbial-keratitis. Eye-infections resulted from the microbial adulteration of lens care solution, lens cases, and contact-lens wares that are further intensified using unsanitary lens care and extended lens wear. The most common pathogenic microbes responsible for ocular infections are gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and amoeba. We have recently developed a multifunctional antimicrobial coating for contact lenses, adopting a single-step sonochemical approach using plant-mediated synthesized ZnO NAPs, Gallic acid, and antibacterial drug (Tobramycin). The contact lens coated with multifunctional antimicrobial coating was evaluated for its antioxidant activity and antimicrobial performance against different pathogenic microbes such as S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. They are also evaluated for their biocompatibility. The formation of nanocoating on the contact lens has successfully been confirmed with different spectroscopic techniques, including XRD, EDX, SEM, FTIR. The coated contact lens significantly inhibited the growth of pathogenic microbes and presented excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. They also demonstrated excellent antioxidant and biocompatibility performance. Multifunctional coatings containing plant-mediated synthesized ZnO NAPs, Gallic acid, and antibacterial drug (Tobramycin) were engineered on contact lens without altering their geometry and refractive properties through one step, fast, robust, and reproducible sonochemical process. Our current research work will open new directions for the functionalization of different medical devices, including contact lens, urinary, and vascular catheters, etc., with hybrid antibacterial coatings without modifying the properties of their bulk materials.