Daily Disposable Contact Research Articles

Characterization of tear film and wettability dynamics over two daily disposable soft contact lenses

Characterization of tear film and wettability dynamics over two daily disposable soft contact lenses

Clinical performance evaluation of two daily disposable toric soft contact lenses – Verofilcon A versus etafilcon A

Clinical performance evaluation of two daily disposable toric soft contact lenses – Verofilcon A versus etafilcon A

Effect of antihistamine-releasing contact lenses on ocular symptoms and treatment behavior in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: A retrospective study

PurposeThis study aimed to compare subjective allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and anti-allergic eye drop use patterns between antihistamine-releasing contact lens users and daily disposable soft contact lens users during Japan's hay fever season. MethodsThis web-based retrospective cohort study included daily disposable soft contact lens or antihistamine-releasing contact lens users with a history of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis who regularly used daily disposable soft contact lenses since the previous year. The total ocular symptom score (range 0–20) based on 5-item questionnaire scores and time from the start of the hay fever season to the initiation of anti-allergic eye drop treatment were compared between antihistamine-releasing contact lens users and daily disposable soft contact lens users. ResultsThe study included 24 participants: 17 using daily disposable soft contact lenses and 7 using antihistamine-releasing contact lenses. Antihistamine-releasing contact lens users experienced a greater reduction in total ocular symptom score from 2021 to 2022 compared with daily disposable soft contact lens users (mean total ocular symptom score [standard deviation]: daily disposable soft contact lens: −0.65 [1.4], antihistamine-releasing contact lens: −4.7 [3.6]; n = 24; Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.010). Fourteen daily disposable soft contact lens users and five antihistamine-releasing contact lens users eventually required anti-allergic eye drops. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significant delay in the initiation of anti-allergic eye drop treatment among those using antihistamine-releasing contact lenses compared with those using daily disposable soft contact lenses (median days, daily disposable soft contact lenses: 19 days, antihistamine-releasing contact lens: 57 days; n = 24; log-rank test, P = 0.045). ConclusionsAntihistamine-releasing contact lenses can potentially mitigate worsening ocular allergic responses during the hay fever season when used appropriately as a preventive measure.

Tear Cytokines as Predictive Biomarkers of Success in Contact Lens Discomfort Management

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze changes in tear levels of inflammatory mediators in symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers after refitting with daily disposable CLs and to identify potential biomarkers of success in CL discomfort (CLD) management. Methods Symptomatic CL wearers (CLDEQ-8 ≥ 12) were refitted (V1) with daily disposable CLs (Delefilcon A). After one month (V2), participants were classified into the post-fitting non-symptomatic (CLDEQ <12) and symptomatic (CLDEQ ≥12) groups. At each visit, the participants were clinically evaluated, tears were collected, and 20 inflammatory mediators and substance P (SP) were measured using multiplex immunobead analysis and ELISA, respectively. The detection rates and concentrations were compared between visits and groups, and logistic regression models were performed. Results Forty-three subjects (32 women/11 men; mean age: 23.2 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled. The IL-1β and IL-9 detection rates were higher at V2 (p ≤ 0.044). The detection rates of IL-1β, IL-9, MIP-1α/CCL3, and MMP-9 at V1 (p ≤ 0.045) and IL-17A at V2 (p ≤ 0.014) were higher in the post-fitting symptomatic group. The tear IL-9 concentration was increased at V2 (p = 0.018). The tear concentrations of fractalkine/CX3CL1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-3/CCL7, MIP-1β, NGF, RANTES/CCL5, and TNF-α were higher in the post-fitting symptomatic group (p ≤ 0.044). Additionally, levels of fractalkine/CX3CL1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES/CCL5, and TNF-α at V1 were significantly associated with the post-fitting grouping (p ≤ 0.044). Conclusions Low tear concentrations of specific inflammatory mediators may be used as a predictive biomarker of success for refitting symptomatic CL wearers with daily disposable CLs. However, complementary treatments might be required for symptomatic CL wearers with higher levels of these inflammatory molecules.

Subjective Symptoms of First-Time Wearers of Verofilcon A Silicone Hydrogel One-Day Disposable Contact Lenses: A First Time Use of Verofilcon A (FTVeA) Study.

Purpose: Verofilcon A, a new daily disposable silicone hydrogel soft contact lens (SCL), is expected to be more comfortable to wear due to its smooth surface. This study aims to compare the comfort level of verofilcon A with eyeglasses in first-time SCL wearers. Methods: A total of 58 new SCL wearers participated in this study. Participants' comfort scores while wearing glasses or verofilcon A were examined at baseline (glasses) and one and four weeks after starting to wear the SCLs. Results: At the end of the one-month study period, no participants had abandoned wearing the SCLs due to discomfort. The vision scores (1-10) for glasses (baseline) and SCLs (week one, week four) were better withSCLs than glasses in the morning (7.9 ± 1.9 vs 8.9 ± 1.3, 9.0 ± 1.2, p<0.01), during the day (8.0 ± 1.6 vs 9.0 ± 1.1, 8.9 ± 1.2, p<0.01), at the end of the day (7.2 ± 2.1 vs 8.5 ± 1.5, 8.7 ± 1.4, p<0.01), and the entire day (7.7 ± 1.7 vs 8.9 ± 1.2, 8.7 ± 1.3, p<0.01). The percentages of participants who agreed that wearing SCLs at week four was as good as or better than glasses in terms of overall vision, peripheral vision, vision at the end of the day, comfort during the day, comfort at the end of the day, less fatigue during the day, and less fatigue at the end of the day were 91.4%, 100.0%, 91.4%, 89.7%, 82.8%, 87.9%, and 89.7%, respectively. Of the participants, 93.1%, 100.0%, and 93.1% felt that the SCLs were easy to wear, more comfortable than expected, and would like to purchase the same lenses in the future, respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that verofilcon A is more comfortable than glasses and is effective as an introductory lens for first-time SCL wearers.

Assessing neophyte response to daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses: A randomised clinical trial investigation over one month.

This randomised clinical trial assessed the impact on symptoms, tear film dynamics and ocular surface integrity of daily disposable silicone-hydrogel contact lenses (CLs) over a month, paying special attention to lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) and its implications for CL discomfort. Neophyte CL wearers (n = 44, 21.09 ± 5.00 years old) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 24) or control group (n = 20). Participants assigned to the experimental group were required to wear daily disposable CLs for 1 month for at least 8 h/day and 6 days/week. All participants were healthy subjects (no history of ocular surgery or active ocular disease) with spherical refractive errors between -8.00 and +5.00 D and cylindrical power <0.75 D. At the baseline and 1-month sessions, the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 (DEQ-5) was completed, together with the measurement of tear film osmolarity with the TearLab osmometer, tear meniscus height (TMH) and lipid layer pattern (LLP) using a slit-lamp with Tearscope Plus attached, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), maximum blink interval (MBI), corneal staining with fluorescein under cobalt blue light and LWE with lissamine green under slit lamp and halogen white light. At the baseline session, LWE showed a negative correlation with DEQ-5 (r = -0.37, p = 0.02). Significant differences in FBUT and LWE (p = 0.04) and a positive correlation between LWE and DEQ-5 (r = 0.49, p = 0.007) were observed at 1 month. Intrasession analysis at 1 month showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in DEQ-5, FBUT and LWE (all p ≤ 0.02). Intersession analysis in the experimental group showed variations in DEQ-5, FBUT and LWE (all p ≤ 0.02) but no significant variation in the control group (all p ≥ 0.11). The presence of LWE was significantly correlated with higher symptom values in the DEQ-5. Also, participants in the experimental group presented higher values of LWE after 1 month of CL wear, in comparison with the control group.

Comparative Analysis of the Osmoprotective Effects of Daily Disposable Contact Lens Packaging Solutions on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Contact lens (CL) wear challenges the balance of the ocular surface environment by increasing water evaporation and tear osmolarity. Maintaining ocular surface homeostasis during CL wear remains a goal of lens manufacturers and an important consideration for eye care professionals. The purpose of this study was to measure the metabolic activity and inflammatory responses of a transformed human corneal epithelial cell (THCEpiC) line under hyperosmotic conditions in the presence of CL packaging solutions. CL packaging solutions sampled from seven daily disposable silicone hydrogel CL blister packages were prepared at 25% and made hyperosmolar (400 mOsm/kg) with NaCl. THCEpiCs were incubated with each solution for 24 hr, after which cell culture supernatants were collected. THCEpiC metabolic activity was determined by an alamarBlue assay. Concentrations in cell culture supernatants of inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6) and chemokine (IL-8), as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantitated by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. THCEpiC metabolic activity under hyperosmolar conditions decreased in the presence of somofilcon A and senofilcon A solutions (p=0.04 and 0.004, respectively), but no other solution (all p≥0.09). Concentrations of IL-6 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, somofilcon A, narafilcon A, and senofilcon A solutions (all p≤0.001), but no other solution (all p≥0.08), while those of IL-8 increased in the presence of all solutions (all p≤0.03) but kalifilcon A (p>0.99), and those of MCP-1 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, verofilcon A, somofilcon A, and stenfilcon A solutions (all p<0.0001), but no other solution (all p>0.99). CL packaging solutions differ in their capacity to inhibit epithelial inflammation. THCEpiC inflammatory response was less in the presence of a CL packaging solution containing osmoprotectants than in solutions lacking osmoprotectants under moderately hyperosmolar conditions in vitro. Clinical studies are warranted to further substantiate the benefit of osmoprotectants.

Efficacy of Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses in Reducing Myopia Progression Among Taiwanese Schoolchildren: A Randomized Paired-Eye Clinical Trial.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of myopia control using a multifocal soft contact lens designed with high peripheral add power in schoolchildren. This 1-year multi-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study enrolled myopic schoolchildren aged 6-15years with refractive errors between - 1.0 D and - 10.0 D. Each participant was randomly allocated to wear a daily disposable multifocal soft contact lens as the treatment in one eye and a single-vision soft contact lens as the control in the other eye. The primary endpoints were changes in the cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length at 1year. Fifty-two of the 59 participants (88.1%) completed the study protocol. The mean change in SE was - 0.73 ± 0.40 D in the treatment group. and - 0.85 ± 0.51 D in the control group (mean difference: - 0.12 ± 0.34 D, p = 0.012). The mean change in axial length was 0.25 ± 0.14mm in the treatment group, and 0.33 ± 0.17mm in the control group (mean difference: 0.08 ± 0.10mm, p < 0.001). The treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed. Treatment with multifocal soft contact lenses with high peripheral add power was effective in controlling the progression of myopia and axial length elongation in myopic schoolchildren.

Incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis in the United Kingdom in 2015: A Prospective National Survey.

The aims of this study were to quantify the incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in the United Kingdom and investigate risk factors and management parameters. This was a prospective population-based study from January to December 2015 through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. Data were collected on demographics, clinical features, and management. Incidence rates were calculated from estimates of population and contact lens (CL) user numbers. Statistical analysis compared annualized incidences per million and altered risk ratios for AK with the England and Wales 24 months 1997/1998 to 1998/1999 study. The study identified 124 AK cases, an overall incidence of 2.35 per million. CL wearers accounted for 108 of 124 cases (87%), in whom the AK incidence was 26.94 per million. Herpes keratitis was initially misdiagnosed in 25 of 124 cases (20.2%). The highest incidence of AK was among planned replacement soft CL (PRSCL) wearers (50.65 per million), 7-fold greater than for daily disposable CL (DDSCL) users (7.24 per million). There was a significant increase in AK incidence ( P < 0.001) compared with both 1997/1998 [risk ratio 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.66] and 1998/1999 (risk ratio 2.13, 95% CI 1.52-2.98) together with a higher incidence per million CL users of 26.94 versus 21.14 (1997/1998) and 17.53 (1998/1999). This study provides the first published data on the nationwide incidence of AK in the United Kingdom. The findings confirm an increasing incidence of AK, particularly among contact lens wearers since 1997/1998 to 1998/1999. PRSCLs were identified as a significant risk factor compared with DDSCLs. Misdiagnosis and treatment delays remain an ongoing problem for patients with AK.

Wear Experience with a daily disposable soft contact lens for astigmatism in current wearers of a reusable soft toric contact lens.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wear experience of satisfied wearers of a particular reusable toric soft contact lens when refit into a water surface technology daily disposable toric soft contact lens. 30 participants completed the study over three visits. At the first visit, subjects were refit into with their habitual reusable toric soft contact lens (comfilcon A) to maximize fit and vision. Subjects returned after one week and were then refit into the study daily disposable soft contact lenses (verofilcon A) and completed surveys of their initial impressions of comfort, vision, and satisfaction. Participants wore the study lenses for two weeks, and then returned for their final visit to complete a vision and ocular health check. At the final visit, subjects also completed surveys to rate their overall and end-of-day comfort, quality of vision, stability of vision, and dryness using a visual analog scale (VAS). Participants also answered questions about their wear experience with the lenses. Overall median and interquartile range (IQR) of all data and surveys was calculated. Initial impressions of the study lenses revealed a median (IQR) score of 85 (28) for vision, 91 (25) for comfort, and 87 (21) for satisfaction. Overall VAS scores after two weeks of wear found median scores of 93 (16) for quality of vision, 88 (28) for stability of vision, and 91 (20) for comfort. End-of-day median scores were 82(27) for quality of vision, 90 (35) for stability of vision, and 80 (38) for comfort. Overall dryness scores were 20(45) and end-of-day dryness was 39 (46). Median(IQR) binocular logMAR visual acuity with the study lenses was -0.16(0.1). Median rotation of the lenses was 0(4.3) degrees. Participants wearing the daily disposable study lenses for astigmatism gave high scores in vision and comfort both at initial fitting and after two weeks of lens wear. Results showed that satisfied wearers of comfilcon A reusable toric soft contact lenses can be successfully refit with verofilcon A daily disposable contact lenses.

Comment on: Comfort After Refitting Symptomatic Habitual Reusable Toric Lens Wearers with a New Daily Disposable Contact Lens for Astigmatism [Letter

Comment on: Comfort After Refitting Symptomatic Habitual Reusable Toric Lens Wearers with a New Daily Disposable Contact Lens for Astigmatism [Letter

Comfort after Refitting Symptomatic Habitual Reusable Toric Lens Wearers with a New Daily Disposable Contact Lens for Astigmatism [Response to Letter

Comfort after Refitting Symptomatic Habitual Reusable Toric Lens Wearers with a New Daily Disposable Contact Lens for Astigmatism [Response to Letter

Comfort After Refitting Symptomatic Habitual Reusable Toric Lens Wearers with a New Daily Disposable Contact Lens for Astigmatism.

To subjectively evaluate comfort with a daily disposable (delefilcon A for astigmatism) contact lens compared to other common weekly/monthly soft toric contact lenses in symptomatic wearers. This open-label, single arm study enrolled current reusable soft toric lens wearers with minimum score of 12 on the contact lens dry eye (CLDEQ-8) questionnaire. Subjects were also administered the CLDEQ-8 after 1 replacement schedule of their optimized habitual toric lenses (2 to 4 weeks), and after 2 weeks of wear with delefilcon A toric daily disposable lenses (Dailies Total1 for Astigmatism; Alcon Vision LLC, Fort Worth, Texas). A total of 85 subjects completed the study. Mean total CLDEQ-8 score was 16.8 ± 8.1 for subjects refit with their optimized habitual toric lenses and 12.4 ± 7.5 for subjects refit with delefilcon A toric lenses, a difference of 4.3 ± 10.4 (p < 0.001). With delefilcon A toric lenses, 78.9% of subjects reported little to no intensity of eye discomfort, compared to 51.7% for the habitual toric lenses (p = 0.005). In addition, 77.7% of subjects reported little to no intensity of dryness for delefilcon A toric lenses, compared to 50.6% for the habitual toric lenses (p = 0.001). The subjective comfort in symptomatic habitual reusable toric contact lens wearers was improved by refitting with delefilcon A toric lenses.

Daily disposable contact lenses as a platform for ocular drug delivery of cyclosporine A

Ophthalmic drug delivery is an important area of research that aims to improve the efficacy and convenience of treatment for various eye conditions. There are multiple ways in which drugs can be delivered to the eye, including eye drops, ointments, gels, and inserts. The most prevalent way of administering medication to the eye is through eye drops. They are easy to use and can be self-administered by patients. Nonetheless, eye drops have the disadvantage of being prone to removal by tears, which may result in insufficient drug absorption and reduced effectiveness. Irregular use of active substances can exacerbate the disease, resulting in prolonged treatment with questionable efficacy. Soft contact lenses that serve as ophthalmic drug delivery systems (DDS) can become a viable substitute for traditional treatments. These polymeric lenses can be embedded with various active compounds, some of which are not readily soluble in water or physiological fluids. One such drug is Cyclosporine A (CyA), an immunosuppressant with a high molecular weight and hydrophobic properties, chronically used to treat dry eye syndrome (DES). The article discusses the development of a method for modifying Hilafilcon B contact lenses obtained from drugstores with Cyclosporine A (CyA). The drug was administered to the lenses using an immersion technique, and the process parameters were monitored to control drug release efficiency and profile. The drug release was measured in an Artificial Lacrimal Fluid (ALF) buffer, mimicking tear fluid with a pH of 7.9. The stability of CyA in this buffer was assessed. For the parameters used, the best drug application and release profile was achieved by immersing the contact lenses for 24 hours at 25 °C in a CyA solution containing 20 μg/ml of the active substance and adding 5 mg/ml of Vitamin E.

Effect of Contact Lens Solutions in Stabilizing the Activity of Tear Lysozyme.

Interactions between tear proteins and the interfaces of contact lenses can be complex and can influence contact lens wear success. Tear proteins, including lysozyme, function to maintain the balance of ocular surface homeostasis, as evidenced by the effects of its conformation relative to stabilizing the tear film and its potential impact on corneal epithelial cells. Contact lens manufacturers include components in lens care and blister package solutions to help stabilize the tear film and preserve homeostasis. This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the ability of daily disposable contact lens package solutions to stabilize lysozyme and preserve its native conformation under denaturing conditions. Lysozyme was added to contact lens solutions sampled from kalifilcon A, etafilcon A, senofilcon A, narafilcon A, nelfilcon A, verofilcon A, delefilcon A, somofilcon A, and stenfilcon A blister packages, then mixed with the protein denaturant sodium lauryl sulfate. Lysozyme activity was evaluated by adding test solutions to a suspension of Micrococcus luteus. Native lysozyme lyses the Micrococcus luteus cell wall, which decreases suspension turbidity. Stabilization of lysozyme activity was determined by comparing suspension turbidity before and after exposure to test solutions. Lysozyme stabilization was 90.7% for kalifilcon A solution, a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS, negative control). No significant improvement was observed with any other contact lens solution (all lysozyme stabilization < 5.00%). The representative tear protein lysozyme was significantly more stable in the novel kalifilcon A contact lens solution containing multiple moisturizers and osmoprotectants than in PBS or other daily disposable contact lens solutions. The lysozyme activity assay provides mechanistic evidence that the kalifilcon A contact lens solution can stabilize proteins under conditions that typically denature proteins, which may contribute to maintaining ocular surface homeostasis.

Performance of a Silicone Hydrogel Daily Disposable Contact Lens among Wearers with Lens-related Dryness

Background: Addressing contact lens dryness continues to be a development goal of contact lens (CL) manufacturers. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical performance of kalifilcon A, a daily disposable silicone hydrogel (SiHy) CL, in subjects that experience dryness with their habitual planned-replacement SiHy CLs relative to a non-dry subgroup. Methods: A cohort of adapted planned-replacement SiHy CL wearers wore kalifilcon A lenses for at least 8 hours daily over two weeks. After one week of lens wear, subjects completed a survey regarding their lens wearing experience with respect to comfort and vision. Subsequently, subjects visited the clinics for the 2-week visit, during which the investigators completed a slit lamp exam and questionnaire regarding lens performance. Results: The evaluation included 180 subjects experiencing CL dryness with their habitual SiHy lenses and 213 subjects that did not. Both subgroups largely agreed with all comfort and vision attribute statements, and the dryness subgroup expressed higher levels of agreement with most comfort-related statements. Among habitual rewetting drop users, 73.9% in the dryness subgroup and 73.1% in the non-dry subgroup used drops less frequently while wearing kalifilcon A lenses. Investigators found no &gt; Grade 2 slit-lamp findings, nor differences between subgroups. Neither subgroup showed a change in ratings between visits, except for a significantly higher proportion of improvers in the non-dry subgroup for upper lid tarsal conjunctival abnormalities. Conclusion: The kalifilcon A lens performed well among habitual planned-replacement SiHy CLs wearers. Its unique chemistry can provide a more satisfying wear experience for SiHy lens wearers experiencing CL dryness.

Defining Daily Disposable Contact Lens Wear in a Clinical Study.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses as prescription medical devices and defines daily disposable lenses for single use; however, safety comparisons between daily disposable and reusable lenses rely on the lens-wearing regimen. When inappropriately discerned, studies may erroneously report replacement regimen, resulting in inaccurate risk rates. This study aimed to explore different measures for defining daily disposable wearers in the context of a clinical study. A secondary analysis of data from five multisite fieldings (n = 1059) from the Contact Lens Risk Survey was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to examine self-reported lens replacement, use of lens case, and manufacturer's recommended replacement frequency as defined by the participants' selection of their habitual lenses using a photographic aide. Daily disposable wearers were identified as reporting daily replacement (by self-report and lens identification) and not using a lens case. If there was a discrepancy among these three factors, the lens assignment was assessed as a majority response (two of three) or as missing if conflicting information was reported. The cohort was approximately two-thirds (68.7%) female and ranged from 12 to 33 years of age. A total of 154 participants (14.5%) were classified as daily disposable wearers and 896 (84.6%) as reusable wearers. Congruence was observed among all three daily disposable assignment factors for only 106 wearers (68.8%). The greatest discrepancy among daily disposable wearers was the report of using a lens case (n = 32 [20.8%]). In contrast, reusable lens wearers were more likely to report agreement across all three factors (n = 798 [89.1%], P < .001). This analysis suggests that the report of not using a lens case is a more conservative surrogate for true single-use lens wear, as one in five may be storing and reusing their daily disposable lenses.

Examining daily disposable soft contact lens wearers' attitudes and beliefs using the Health Belief Model.

To use the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand daily disposable (DD) soft contact lens (SCL) wearers' attitudes and beliefs. A convenience sample of DD SCL wearers (18-33 years) was enrolled at two sites. Participants were queried about demographics, SCL wear and HBM constructs. Rasch analysis was used to assess the psychometric properties of the survey instrument and generate scores for each HBM subscale. ANOVA was used to determine relationships among HBM constructs, subject demographics and DD SCL-related health behaviours. One hundred people participated (mean ± SD), age=24.2 ± 3.9 years, 76% female. Thirty-seven percent reported sleeping in DD SCLs and 25% reported reusing DD SCLs. Self-report of reusing DD SCLs was associated with scores on the benefits: reuse (p=0.02) and barriers (p=0.007) subscales, and sleeping in lenses was associated with scores on the susceptibility (p=0.05), benefits: wear behaviours (p=0.006) and barriers (p=0.01) subscales. Rasch analysis showed some subscales demonstrated multidimensionality. Selected health belief constructs were associated with DD SCL-related behaviours including reusing and overnight wear. Increased understanding of SCL attitudes and beliefs could inform patient education and interventions to decrease risks associated with improper SCL wear.

Comparison of the Pre-Lens Tear Film Stability and Visual Performance of a Novel and Two Other Daily Disposable Contact Lenses in Healthcare Professionals Wearing Facial Masks for Prolonged Time.

ObjectiveTo compare a novel daily disposable contact lens (DDCL) verofilcon A with other DDCL materials in terms of pre-lens tear film (PLTF) stabilization and visual performance for prolonged use in healthcare professionals with the use of masks.MethodsSubjects aged 20–40 years old were prospectively randomized into three study groups. Group 1: verofilcon A, group 2: nesofilcon A and group 3: senofilcon A. The subjects were evaluated at baseline with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), non-invasive tear break up time (NIBUT) of pre-lens tear film, and high order aberrations (HoAs). After 28 days of CL use, NIBUT at 1, 4, 8, and 12 h, HoAs, contrast sensitivity (CS) with CVS100-E and contact lens dry eye questionnaire-8 (CLDEQ-8) were evaluated.ResultsBetween August and September 2021, 147 eyes of 77 subjects were included in the three study groups. At day 28, the CS scores at 18 cycles per degree, spatial frequencies, and the mean NIBUT scores at 4, 8, and 12 h were higher in the verofilcon A group compared to the nesofilcon A and at 12 h were higher compared to the senofilcon A (p < 0.05). The mean HoAs and CLDEQ-8 test scores were higher in the nesofilcon A group (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest the superiority of the PLTF stabilization ability of verofilcon A in healthcare professionals with prolonged use of mask. The improved CS and NIBUT scores of this lens could be explained by a new and unique surface technology with greater than 80% water content.

Solution-related in Vitro Dewetting Behavior of Various Daily Disposable Contact Lenses.

SIGNIFICANCEThe dewetting process of contact lenses (CLs) is a result of material and solution properties as well as environmental factors. This article describes an investigational approach to observe and describe dewetting characteristics of different CL material and solution combinations.PURPOSEThis study aimed to determine the in vitro dewetting characteristics of various daily disposable CLs that were assessed using a noninvasive keratograph dewetting procedure (noninvasive keratograph dry-up time). In vitro dewetting data of the same CL materials soaked in saline solution and artificial tear solution (ATS) were measured to determine additional dewetting characteristics.METHODSNoninvasive keratograph dry-up time was measured for six different soft CL materials and three different test conditions, in their specific blister solution, after exposure to saline and an ATS. Twenty CLs of each solution/material combination were assessed after an 8-hour soaking, during a 180-second dewetting observation, and the results were expressed by area under the curve values.RESULTSFastest dewetting occurred for all materials when measured out of saline, indicated by the highest averaged area under the curve value of 9243.3 ± 38.3 over all lens materials. Slower dewetting was detected for all materials when measured out of their specific blister solution (7755.9 ± 37.1) and out of ATS (7988.8 ± 40.0). Intragroup results were statistically significantly different for all solutions showing the smallest differences within the ATS group (P < .001, Kruskal-Wallis test).CONCLUSIONSA pure saline thin film is not an ideal representation of a complex tear film layer of a healthy human because it lacks any evaporative protection by a lipid layer. The use of an ATS, which more likely mimics the natural tear film, allowed in this experimental in vitro project to decrease the gap to the in vivo field. In vitro dewetting information in connection with the blister solution allows only a theoretical conclusion about the initial lens wear after lens insertion.