Tear Film, Contact Lens, and Patient-Related Factors Associated with Contact Lens–Related Dry Eye

Abstract

Contact lens-related dry eye may be explained mechanistically by increased tear film thinning times (evaporation or dewetting) resulting in increased tear film osmolality. Other contributing factors include the use of high-water-content lenses, which have traditionally been reported to be associated with less patient comfort than lower-water-content lenses, potentially due to spoilation and deposition. As found in other studies of dry eye, women are more likely to report contact lens-related dry eye than are men.

Mechanical Complications Induced by Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

“…115 However, other authors reported no association between MGDo in the lower eyelid and CL wear. 117 The disagreement in study results is possibly because of the authors from the latter study not examining or imaging the full extent of both upper and lower eyelids, but rather only the central portion of the lower eyelid.…”

Impact of symptomatic dry eye on vision-related daily activities: The Singapore Malay Eye Study

“…However, if dry eye tests were used, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal appropriate diagnostic criterion are or combination of criteria. 24,25 We did not assess certain factors such as wearing of contact lens, [26][27][28] LASIK surgery, 29 keratoplasty 12 eyelid and conjunctival disease, 30 allergic conjunctivitis, 31 seventh nerve palsy, 32 gout, 33 total body irradiation, 34 Sjogren's syndrome, 35 and participants' compliance with dry eye treatment, 36 which might be associated with symptomatic dry eye and diminished visual function.…”

Tear Film Evaluation in Contact Lens Wearers and Non Wearers

“…6 Recent studies have demonstrated that questioning of SCL wearers about symptoms has more diagnostic value than clinical testing. 7 McMonnies developed a dry eye questionnaire8 and found a high level of sensitivity in detecting both dry eye and marginal dry eye.…”