What is ProBalance Technology?

ProBalance Technology is a trademarked contact lens hydration technology developed by Bausch + Lomb. Introduced in 2020, ProBalance Technology combines several ingredients to improve contact lens comfort, reduce dryness caused by lens wear, and to support regulating ocular surface homeostasis. Ocular surface homeostasis is the balanced state of internal, physical, and chemical conditions of the surface layer of our eyes. It relies heavily on a healthy composition of our tear film. As contact lenses interact with our tear film, the ingredients in contact lenses play an important role in supporting the right balance of surface ingredients.

The ingredients utilized in ProBalance Technology can be broken down into three groups.

Moisturizers and Wetting Agents

Poloxamine 1107 and Poloxamer 181 are the main moisturizing ingredients of ProBalance. They are known for their ability to clean debris, support deposit resistance and lens-wetting and can be found in some lens cleaning solutions and wetting drops.

Electrolytes

Contact lenses with ProBalance Technology contain potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte required for the normal functioning of cells, nerves, and muscles. It can be also be found in high concentrations in our tear film, and some research suggests that it plays a role in protecting the outer layer of our cornea (corneal epithelium) from UVB radiation and helping to maintain normal corneal thickness. Another study suggests that our eye surface layer is best maintained with a solution containing potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other electrolytes, with potassium being particularly important.

Osmoprotectants

In addition to potassium, erythritol and glycerin support a proper-functioning, lubricating tear film and help reducing tear film break-up and tear evaporation.

Bausch+Lomb contact lenses with ProBalance Technology