This document provides general procedures for the selection of methods, preparation of samples, and the conduct of testing for the uptake and release of preservatives from contact lenses.

Preservative uptake and release testing is not intended as a routine test of production contact lenses or contact lens care products nor are testing results meant to establish finished goods specifications in any way.

Such testing is carried out when developing new contact lens materials and/or contact lens care products.

NOTE 1        Due to the manifest difficulties of reproducibility when coating contact lenses with mineral and organic deposits encountered during lens wear, these methods are only applicable to new and unused contact lenses.

NOTE 2        Preservative depletion by a contact lens in the limited volume of a lens case could compromise disinfection performance. This document does not measure disinfection performance.