Removing Contact Lenses Research Articles

Influence of Face Masks on the Use of Contact Lenses.

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic is largely controlled by the use of face masks. The use of a face mask has been indicated as a strong cause of dry eye, although it is not yet described in the literature. This study aims to compare the impact of the use of masks on the visual quality of patients. The symptoms in the human eye intensified during the pandemic versus the symptoms before the pandemic, in a Portuguese population. Methods: A fifteen-question questionnaire was conducted to find out what changes occurred in the use of soft contact lenses during the pandemic in relation to the use of masks. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 27.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The use of contact lenses decreased compared with before the pandemic (p < 0.001). The number of hours of wear decreased significantly compared with before the pandemic (p < 0.001). The sensation of dry eyes was found to be worse in those using monthly replacement contact lenses (p = 0.034), and the need to remove contact lenses was more frequent in women (p = 0.026) after using a mask. Conclusions: Mask use increases dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers, negatively impacting visual quality.

Microbiological alterations in the conjunctiva of hot tub-soaking ophthalmologists (MACHO): a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

To determine if there is a difference in the quantity of microbial flora of the conjunctiva in individuals practicing head submersion ("dunk") versus no head submersion ("no-dunk") during hot tub use. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, healthy volunteers aged ≥ 18 years were recruited. Participants were randomized to head submersion versus no head submersion during a 15-minute hot tub soak. Study personnel, masked to the dunk or no-dunk group assignment, obtained conjunctival cultures before and immediately after hot tub use. De-identified specimens were submitted to the clinical microbiology laboratory for culture and analysis. The main outcome measure was the difference in the quantity of organisms cultured from the conjunctiva before and after hot tub exposure, as determined using a defined ordinal scale. A two-tailed Student's t-test was performed to compare the total microbial colony counts between the two arms. Simpson's diversity was used to measure the changes in organism diversity between the arms. Of 36 enrolled subjects, 19 were randomly assigned to the dunk and 17 were assigned to the no-dunk groups. Water samples obtained from all hot tubs were culture negative. Eleven of 19 eyes (58%) from the dunk group and eight of 17 eyes (47%) from the no-dunk group had negative conjunctival bacterial cultures before and after hot tub exposure. However, six of 19 eyes (32%) and four of 17 eyes (24%) of the dunk and no-dunk groups, respectively, were culture-positive after, but not before hot tub exposure. The quantity of organisms before and after hot tub exposure was not significantly different between the two arms (P = 0.12). However, the dunk group only showed a small increase in the quantity of organisms after as compared to before hot tub use (P = 0.03). None of the samples from subjects or hot tubs were culture-positive for Acanthamoeba. Head submersion in a public hot tubs during a 15-minute soak does not appear to change conjunctival flora, as determined by culture plate yield, this does not eliminate the association between hot tub use and devastating and painful corneal blindness. Therefore, our recommendation is to remove contact lenses prior to hot tub use, avoid head submersion in a hot tub, and urgently seek ophthalmological help if any eye pain and/or decrease in vision is experienced after hot tub use.

Contact lens wear and care in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimTo establish contact lens wear and care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. MethodA 58-item anonymous online survey was distributed during the period 30th April to 10th May via Qualtrics. The survey explored: a) demographic characteristics (age, sex, general health and where they were living during lockdown), b) changes in their contact lens use during lockdown, c) hygiene and contact lens compliance and d) concerns associated with contact lens wear and ways to support wearers during the pandemic. ResultsTwo hundred and sixty responses were analysed (38.8 ± 11.4 years old, 75% female). Three-quarters of participants reported that they were self-isolating or rigorously following social distancing advice. Sixty-seven percent of participants reported using their contact lenses less during the pandemic. Respondents were found to be compliant with handwashing prior to inserting and removing contact lenses (in both cases 97% doing this ‘most times’ or ‘every time’). However, only 44 % complied with the ‘20 s rule’ and 48 % used a shared towel to dry their hands. A higher proportion of hydrogen peroxide users replaced the lens case monthly compared to multi-purpose users (64% vs.49%; p < 0.001). Twenty-four percent admitted wearing lenses whilst showering and 16% did not consider ceasing lens wear if feeling unwell with flu/cold symptoms. ConclusionEye care practitioners should continue to educate contact lens wearers to ensure safe contact lens wear to minimise the chance of developing contact lens related complications during the pandemic. Modifiable factors that need particular attention in Spain include: handwashing for at least 20s before lens handling, drying hands with single use paper towels, including a rub-and-rinse step for reusable lenses, lens case cleaning and renewal, avoidance of water exposure and when to cease lens wear during the pandemic.

The impact of learning and experience on time taken to apply and remove contact lenses

Introduction: More than 4 in 10 contact lens (CL) considerers say application and removal is a potential barrier to wear, and the principal reason for dropout in the first year with spherical lenses is handling difficulties. A study was conducted to assess the time needed for application and removal in neophytes (NW) and habitual (HW) wearers.

The effect of the timing of the cessation of contact lens use on the results of biometry.

Current guidelines vary regarding when to remove contact lenses prior to performing biometry, and there is no clear evidence behind these guidelines. This study aimed to determine the effect of soft contact lens wear on biometric measurements by examining the change in predicted lens power for emmetropia at several time points following removal of soft contact lenses. A prospective, controlled study of healthy soft contact lens wearers. Biometry was performed immediately after removing contact lenses and then after 2, 4 and 7 days of no contact lens use. Healthy non-contact lens wearers were used as controls. All measurements were taken with the Zeiss IOLMaster. In all, 14 subjects and 13 controls were recruited. There was no significant difference in age or gender between groups. Eight of the fourteen subjects wore daily disposable CLs, two wore 2-weekly and four wore monthly soft CLs. Measurements from controls and contact lens-wearing subjects showed similar degrees of variation over time. The within-subject SD in predicted intraocular lens (IOL) power for emmetropia for contact lens wearers was 0.20 D (95% CI 0.16-0.25 D) compared to 0.18 D (95% CI 0.12-0.26 D) for controls. There is a significant variation in UK practice regarding advice on the timing of cessation of contact lens wear prior to having biometry performed. Our study suggests that it is likely that soft contact lens wearers are currently being advised to remove their contact lenses for an unnecessarily long period of time prior to having biometry performed.

Evidence of ancillary trigeminal innervation of levator palpebrae in the general population

The cranial synkineses are a group of disorders encompassing a variety of involuntary co-contractions of the facial, masticatory, or extraocular muscles that occur during a particular volitional movement. The neuroanatomical pathways for synkineses largely remain undefined. Our studies explored a normal synkinesis long observed in the general population – that of jaw opening during efforts to open the eyelids widely. To document this phenomenon, we observed 186 consecutive participants inserting or removing contact lenses to identify jaw opening. Seeking electrophysiological evidence, in a second study we enrolled individuals undergoing vascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia or hemifacial spasm, without a history of jaw-winking, ptosis, or strabismus, to record any motor responses in levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) upon stimulation of the trigeminal motor root. Stimulus was applied to the trigeminal motor root while an electrode in levator recorded the response. We found that 37 participants (20%) opened their mouth partially or fully during contact lens manipulation. In the second study, contraction of LPS with trigeminal motor stimulation was documented in two of six patients, both undergoing surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. We speculate these results might provide evidence of an endogenous synkinesis, indicating that trigeminal-derived innervation of levator could exist in a significant minority of the general population. Our observations demonstrate plasticity in the human cranial nerve innervation pattern and may have implications for treating Marcus Gunn jaw-winking.

Essential topical ocular diagnostic drugs for the family practitioner

may also be used. Always be aware that the minims are preservative free and because fluorescein is a growth medium for bacteria, once opened the container should be discarded within 24 hours. A few blinks spread the now-visible tear film across the cornea. No systemic complications accompany the use of topical fluorescein, but soft contact lenses may be permanently stained because of its porous structure. This may be avoided by first removing contact lenses before instillation of the dye. Fluorescein dye is indispensable for the detection of corneal conditions such as abrations, ulcers, herpetic disease, contact lens overwear and dry eye syndrome. Anaesthetics Among the topical anaesthetics, the most widely used agents are proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5%, benoxinate 0.5% and tetracaine 0.5%. The instillation of 1 drop of these surfaceactive compounds renders the corneal epithelium insensate within 15 seconds. Reapplication will enhance the anaesthetic effect. Such anaesthesia is useful to make surface manipulations painless such as removal of corneal or conjunctival foreign bodies, performing tonometry or giving a subconjunctival injection. Use of an anaesthetic also facilitates the examination of a damaged cornea which otherwise might be difficult because of the pain and accompanying blefarospasm. Patients should be advised not to rub their eyes after receiving such drops to prevent them from inadvertently scratching their corneas. Never prescribe topical anaesthetics for repeated use by patients because they are toxic to the corneal epithelium; they inhibit mitosis and cellular migration and can lead to corneal ulceration and permanent corneal scarring.

How to Remove Contact Lenses from Comatose Patients

How to Remove Contact Lenses from Comatose Patients

How to Remove Contact Lenses from Comatose Patients

Photography was done by Thomas C. Uithoven, director, Arizona Academy of Medical Media, Phoenix, Az. He was assisted by Robert G. Camwell, a student of medical media. Three types of contact lenses are worn today. The most widely used is the hard contact lens (A) which is available either clear or tinted. Hard lenses come in three shades of blue, and in green, grey, pink, and brown. The soft contact lens (B) is the kind most recently developed, and is gaining in popularity. But, its use is limited to persons with low astigmatism. The scleral lens (C) Is used least often because wearing time is limited to about four hours. Athletes use this lens during contact sports.

REMOVING CONTACT LENSES.

To the Editor:— There are some 5 million contact lens wearers in the United States today. The nomadic nature of our people creates occasions when a physician familiar with corneal lenses may not be immediately available. We became acutely aware of this problem recently when a patient visited a rural area in California remote from an ophthalmologist. She has a bilateral aphakia and had worn her contact lenses for only a few weeks. To her dismay she was unable to remove one of the lenses. After a few hours she became somewhat panic-stricken and called upon several general practitioners. The last of five that she called agreed to see her, although he confessed knowing nothing about removing the lens and received advice from a third party. The lens was finally removed by grasping it with a tweezers and breaking the lens, with much discomfort to the patient. When he saw

An embedded ("lost") contact lens.

<h3>Report of Case</h3> A 31-year-old brewery platform worker was first seen in the eye clinic * at the Wills Eye Hospital on Feb. 19, 1962. The chief complaints at that time were that the lids of the right eye had been "sticking together," especially in the mornings, and that a purulent discharge had been noted from the right eye for the previous 10 months. The right eye had been red and tender intermittently in the same period of time. The vision had always been normal O.D., except for the times when a mucopurulent material was present. On April 20, 1961, ten months prior to the clinic visit, the patient was fitted for contact lenses by a Philadelphia optometrist. The patient was instructed in the "one-finger control" method of removing contact lenses. About one week later the patient lost the contact lens for the right eye. It was after losing the lens

Method of Cutting Lamellar Grafts

Discussion These results suggest that, when the contact lens is in situ, the application of condenser field short-wave diathermy to the eye in the antero-posterior plane will result in inefficient heating through screening by the corneal and haptic portions of the lens. Secondly, current concentration at the perforation can occur, with subsequent overheating in the region of the ciliary body and possible serious consequences. Thirdly, even with lateral application, which is an inferior technique, some screening would occur in the anterior chamber. A corollary, which was suggested by Sarwar (1956) in this connexion, is that the efficiency of short-wave therapy in orbital cellulitis might be increased by fitting a contact lens, without a perforation, during treatment. This would tend to encourage increased current around the eye with more efficient heating of the peri-ocular tissues, but if this effect is not required it appears desirable to remove contact lenses during the application of shortwave therapy to this area.