BioTrue Contact Lens Soluion from B+L

Bausch + Lomb finally has a new entry into the soft contact lens care & solutions market: BioTrue. This is their first *new* entry into this market since the Renu Moistureloc debacle/recall in 2005

Interesting as I haven't heard anything about this until today. The website is not super informative. it just states that BioTrue "matches the pH of healthy tears, utilizes a lubricant found naturally in the eyes, & keeps certain beneficial tear proteins active". All great claims, but what we really really want to know is whether its compatible with silicone hydrogel contact lenses or not, as no B+L product right now is compatible. The BioTrue website doesn't say either way. Moistureloc was compatible with silicone, but of course it had a fungus problem. I bet BioTrue is compatible. I'd be surprised if they did all that R+D only to release another lens solution that wasn't compatible with half of the contacts currently available, including their own biggest line of products: Purevision.

I'm pretty excited for a number of reasons: new products are always good, as is competition in the marketplace. Can't wait to get some samples!

edit: here's more info on BioTrue from Contact Lens Spectrum:

http://www.cltoday.com/issues/CLToday_060610.htm

"Bausch + Lomb (B+L) announced the launch of Biotrue multi-purpose solution across the U.S. Biotrue multi-purpose solution is bio-inspired to work like the eyes to help lenses stay clean and moist throughout the day, according to the company.
B+L reports that Biotrue was developed following intensive study on how the eye naturally works to clean, hydrate and keep itself healthy. It has exceptional disinfection properties, and is formulated to work like the eyes with three bio-inspired innovations. Firstly, it is pH-balanced to match healthy tears, helping to maintain the eye's natural condition and enabling optimal activation of Biotrue's dual disinfectants. In clinical trials 81% of patients who tried the solution said it felt like their natural tears.
The second innovation noted by the company is the use of hyaluronan, a natural lubricant found in the body and in the eye. This helps attract water to envelop lenses in a moisture-rich cushion and to stabilize the tear film and reduce friction. Even after 20 hours, a high level of hyaluronan has been shown to remain on both hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel lenses, helping to provide all day comfort. The third innovation is how Biotrue keeps certain beneficial tear proteins active longer. It surrounds and protects lysozyme, a protein found in tears, helping to maintain its natural antimicrobial activity and prevent denaturization. Additionally, Biotrue lifts and dissolves denatured proteins.
"By studying the eye, we're able not only to observe natural processes that have been proven evolutionarily, but we're also able to develop health care solutions that work with the body, rather than interfering with it," said Mo Merchea, Medical Affairs Manager, North America, Vision Care at Bausch + Lomb. "Biotrue uses the science of the eye itself, and therefore the lens care solution is optimally designed to work within the eye."
Biotrue exceeds FDA/ISO stand-alone procedure for disinfecting products and, according to information supplied by the company, it also has been tested against a broad range of bacteria and fungi, collected from clinically worn lenses, lens cases and infected eyes. It achieves consistently high log reductions against staphylococcus aureus, MRSA and fusarium solani and is also effective against acanthamoeba cysts and tryphozoites.
Beginning in this month, Biotrue multi-purpose solution will be available at retailers across the U.S. Biotrue features a clear bottle that allows the patient to track how much solution remains and comes in a range of sizes."

That article does specifically mention silicone hydrogel lenses, so thats promising!