목적: 본 연구에서는 콘택트렌즈 관리용품의 세척력 평가를 위해 미셀임계농도 평가법, 표면장력 평가법 및 단백질세척효율평가법의 상관관계에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 계면활성제의 미셀임계농도와 실제 콘택트렌즈 관리용액의 계면활성제 농도를 문헌과 관련 자료들을 이용하여 조사하였다. 표면장력기기로 $25{pm}1^{circ}C$에서 콘택트렌즈 관리용액의 표면장력을 측정하였으며, lotrafilcon A, comfilcon A, balafilcon A재질의 렌즈를 인공누액에 14일 동안 침착시킨 후 콘택트렌즈 관리용액으로 세척하여 세척효율을 비교하였다. 결과: 콘택트렌즈 관리용품 22제품 중 계면활성제 농도가 표시된 제품은 9제품이었으며 문헌상의 미셀임계농도보다 계면활성제 농도가 더 높은 제품은 7제품이었다. 표면장력을 측정한 결과 대체적으로 소프트렌즈용 관리용품의 표면장력이 다른 관리용품보다 낮음을 알 수 있었으며, 렌즈에 침착된 단백질 제거효과 분석 결과에서는 표면장력이 더 낮은 제품의 단백질 제거효율이 더 높은 것을 알 수 있었다. 결론: 콘택트렌즈 관리용액의 계면활성제 농도가 높은 경우 표면장력이 낮으며, 표면장력이 낮을수록 침착된 단백질 세척 효율이 높아져 세척력 평가법 간에 서로 상관관계가 있음을 밝혔다.
Purpose: The present study was aimed to figure out the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for critical micelle concentration, surface tension and protein cleaning efficacy to evaluate cleaning efficacy of contact lens care products. Methods: The critical micelle concentration of surfactants and the actual concentration of surfactants in contact lens care solutions were investigated by employing references published and related information. Surface tension of contact lens care solutions was measured by surface tension device at $25{pm}1^{circ}C$, and contact lenses made of lotrafilcon A, comfilcon A and balafilcon A were washed with contact lens care solutions after the incubation in artificial tears for 14 days and their cleaning efficacy was compared. Results: Among the 22 contact lens care products, 9 products provided the label of the concentration of surfactant, and 7 products showed higher concentration of surfactant than the critical micelle concentration reported in references. As a result of measuring surface tension, the surface tension of lens care products for soft contact lens was generally lower than other care products. When examined the removal effect of protein deposited on lens surface, it was known that the care products having lower surface tension showed higher protein removal efficiency. Conclusions: The surface tension is low when surfactant concentration in contact lens care solutions is high, and the removal effect of protein deposited is accordingly increased with the decrease of surface tension. Thus, these indicate the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for cleaning efficacy.
