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Researchers find poorer tear film kinetics in symptomatic contact lens wearers
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Researchers reported the key differences in the tear film kinetics of asymptomatic and symptomatic wearers: a shorter break-up time, lesser contact lens surface coverage by the tear film during the overall interblink period and greater contact lens surface exposure to the atmosphere at time of the blink.
“This technique may be used as a marker to determine the adequacy of replacement frequency for planned replacement contact lenses by tracking the tear film kinetics changes over the intended period of use,” the researchers wrote in Optometry and Vision Science.
A total of 202 soft contact lens wearers completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire; tear film kinetics were determined via masked analysis of high-definition digital Tearscope (Keeler, Windsor, U.K.) videos recorded at each visit.
Based on OSDI scores, 45 wearers constituted the asymptomatic group and 43 made up the wearers the symptomatic group; the remaining subjects were considered equivocal with respect to symptomatology.
Daily disposables were worn by 46.5% of subjects, 1-month replacement by 39.6% and 2-week replacement by 13.6% of subjects. Symptomatic wearers experienced shorter break-up time, lesser surface coverage by the tear film during the interblink period and greater surface exposure at the time of the blink, researchers reported.
“...Poor contact lens wettability is an intrinsic contributing factor to contact lens discomfort, [regardless] of replacement frequency or lens type,” the researchers concluded. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Guillon reported no financial disclosures. Please see the full study for all remaining authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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