Dendritic immune cell densities in the central cornea associated with soft contact lens types and lens care solution types: a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess whether differences in central corneal dendritic immune cell densities associated with combinations of soft contact lenses and lens care solutions could be detected by in vivo confocal microscopy.MethodsParticipants were adults naïve to contact lens wear (n = 10) or who wore soft contact lenses habitually on a daily-wear schedule (n = 38) or on a study-assigned schedule for 30 days with daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses (n = 15). Central corneas were scanned using an in vivo confocal microscope. Cell densities were compared among groups by demographic parameters, lens materials, and lens care solutions (polyhexamethylene biguanide [PHMB], polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine [PQ/MAPD], peroxide, or blister pack solution [for daily disposable lenses]).ResultsAmong lens wearers, no associations were observed between immune cell densities and age, gender, or years of lens-wearing experience. Mean cell density was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in nonwearers (29 ± 23 cells/mm2, n = 10) than in lens wearers (64 ± 71 cells/mm2, n = 53). Mean cell density was lower (P = 0.21) with traditional polymer lenses (47 ± 44 cells/mm2, n = 12) than with silicone hydrogel lenses (69 ± 77 cells/mm2, n = 41). Lowest to highest mean density of immune cells among lens wearers was as follows: PQ/MAPD solution (49 ± 28 cells/mm2), blister pack solution (63 ± 81 cells/mm2), PHMB solution (66 ± 44 cells/mm2), and peroxide solution (85 ± 112 cells/mm2).ConclusionIn this pilot study, in vivo confocal microscopy was useful for detecting an elevated immune response associated with soft contact lenses, and for identifying lens-related and solution-related immune responses that merit further research.

Short-Term Effects of Overnight Orthokeratology on Corneal Sub-basal Nerve Plexus Morphology and Corneal Sensitivity

“…Our study participants were instructed to remove their contact lenses (if worn) 4 weeks before the start of OK treatment to ensure that Langerhans cell levels matched normal levels for the bare cornea. However, baseline Langerhans cell counts were slightly higher in both our treatment groups than those reported for healthy individuals by Zhivov et al 17 and Sindt et al 38 We speculate that this washout period of 4 weeks was insufficient or perhaps participants failed to follow the instructions given by the research group. In contrast, no significant differences in Langerhans cell numbers were recorded after wearing the CRT lenses.…”

Rapid Image Evaluation System for Corneal In Vivo Confocal Microscopy

“…Software-assisted in vivo confocal microscopy could reveal subclinical responses to contact lenses or lens care solutions that have been laborious to analyze manually. 5,22,23 In summary, the newly developed software was capable of analyzing perpendicular volume scans from laser in vivo confocal microscopy of the central corneas of healthy volunteers, yielding results quickly, consistently, and accurately. This software should be a useful addition to clinical practice and research.…”

“…gov as NCT00804999. Subjects met a list of prespecified ocular health criteria as previously described 22,23 and were habitual wearers of soft contact lenses (n = 38) or were naive to contact lens wear (n = 10). The 15 best representative scans were selected from this data set.…”

In VivoConfocal Microscopy of the Ocular Surface: From Bench to Bedside

“…128 Increased numbers of DCs have also been observed in association with various combinations of soft contact lenses and lens care solutions. 129 …”