Comparison of Tear Film Surface Quality Measured In Vivo on Water Gradient Silicone Hydrogel and Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Abstract

Recently, a new water gradient silicone hydrogel material has been introduced for a daily disposable lens. The aim of this study was to assess, in vivo, the prelens tear film surface quality (TFSQ) of this new lens in comparison with that of another daily disposable lens from the same manufacturer. Eleven subjects wore two pairs of hydrogel nelfilcon A and silicone hydrogel delefilcon A lenses in two nonconsecutive days. The noninvasive lateral shearing interferometry was used to analyze the prelens tear film and distinguish between different contact lens materials. Measurements were taken in natural blinking conditions after 6 hours of wear. Additionally, the subjective comfort was evaluated. The presence of both lenses resulted in a TFSQ reduction as compared with the bare eye condition. Statistically significant (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P<0.012) smaller change in TFSQ was introduced by the water gradient material than the high water content material. A statistically significant correlation between the TFSQ results of the two lenses was found (Pearson correlation coefficient R=0.8, P<0.003), indicating high linearity of the measurement methodology with respect to the tested lens material. The correlation of subjective comfort in lenses was lower and found to be insignificant (R=0.6, P>0.05). Although the prelens TFSQ is not always directly proportional to the lens water content, the results of the in vivo study showed that the new water gradient silicone hydrogel material impact less TFSQ as compared with its predecessor.