Biogenic Gold Nanoparticle-Based Antibacterial Contact Lenses for Color Blindness Management

Biogenic gold nanoparticles (BAu NPs) synthesized using olive leaf extract were used as an additive in commercial contact lenses (BAu lens). Their antibacterial and color blindness-correcting properties were examined. To compare the properties, gold nanocomposite contact lenses were also synthesized using the well-known Turkevich method (TAu lens). The breath- in/breath-out method was used to load the Au NPs onto commercial contact lenses. The bio-gold nanoparticles showed good dispersion and stability within the lens hydrogel matrix. Nanoparticle loading had a negligible effect on the contact lenses’ wettability and swelling properties. BAu lens filtered around 55% of visible light at 530 nm, a problematic wavelength for color blind patients. The optical filtering results were comparable with Pilestone commercial color blind correction glasses. BAu lenses also showed superior resistance against the attack of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria as compared to Tau lenses. As scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed, the BAu lenses showed a complete lack of surface attachment toward the bacterial colonies. This research provides a cost-effective and scalable method of producing multi-functional nanocomposite contact lenses with antibacterial and color blind correction properties.