Protein and elemental analysis of contact lenses of patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis or giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Soft contact lenses worn by six patients (12 eyes) diagnosed as having contact lens-induced superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) and from four patients (5 eyes) with giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) were analyzed for protein concentration and for elemental content. Fifty-five percent water content, ionic lenses containing methacrylic acid had high protein concentration. Calcium was not a common element found on protein-coated lenses. Sulfur and iron were found on used and new lenses. An elevated level of mercury was detected in one gray lens that had been disinfected in thimerosal-preserved saline with a high heat disinfection unit by a patient with SLK.