FDA approves B&L plasma treatment of GP contact lenses

Las Vegas-Bausch & Lomb has received U.S. FDA approval to add a cold oxygen plasma treatment to the manufacturing process of gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses made with Boston materials. B&L made the announcement recently at the American Optometric Association Congress and Annual American Optometric Student Association Conference.

"We have been studying plasma treatment for the past year, during which we have obtained valuable information about the treatment, and have developed an efficient, simple procedure for our materials. We believe this enhancement to the manufacturing process reinforces Boston's industry-leading position within the GP segment," said Jonathan Jacobson, Bausch & Lomb director-global GP business.

Plasma treatment is a process that bombards the lens surface with ions in a vacuum. This may reduce the lens hydration time by reducing the wetting angle and improve the comfort for the contact lens wearer without changing the finished lens properties.