The Effects of Soft Contact Lens Wear on The Tear Film and Meibomian Gland Drop-Out and Visibility

Abstract

As contact lens (CL) wear affects the ocular surface, this cross-sectional study aims to assess the effects of soft CL wear and its duration on the tear film and meibomian gland (MG) drop-out and visibility. Thirty non-CL wearers (22.5 ± 2.3 years) and twenty-four soft CL wearers (23.8 ± 2.2 years) participated in this study. The Keratograph 5M was used to assess the ocular surface. CL users were surveyed on years of CL wear and hours per week. MG visibility was assessed using a previously developed method based on analysing pixel intensity of meibographies. The CL group showed higher gland drop-out (p < 0.001) and lower gland visibility (p < 0.022). Gland drop-out was independently associated with CL wear (p = 0.006). When gland drop-out was excluded, the relative energy of pixel intensity values showed an independent association with CL wear (p = 0.005). Prolonged hours of CL wear were associated with higher dry eye symptoms and entropy of MGs (p < 0.029). A reduction in non-invasive keratograph break-up time was associated with using CLs for ≥8 years (p = 0.030). Overall, gland drop-out was higher and gland visibility lower in soft CL wearers. New gland visibility metrics might help to assess MGs in soft CL wearers quickly and objectively.

Contact lens wear and follow‐up and its association with signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction

“…The mean MG loss in the upper eyelids seen here was significantly higher in both FLU and non‐FLU CL wearers compared with that of the non‐CL wearing controls, which is consistent with several previous studies 10,11,22,46 . Alghamdi et al 11 .…”

“…The mean MG loss in the upper eyelids seen here was significantly higher in both FLU and non-FLU CL wearers compared with that of the non-CL wearing controls, which is consistent with several previous studies. 10,11,22,46 Alghamdi et al 11 observed the characteristics of the MGs, eyelids and tear film following short (2 ± 1 years), moderate (5 ± 1 years) and long (10 ± 2 years) durations of soft CL wear. They concluded that MG loss in both eyelids was significantly higher in CL wearers of all duration profiles than in non-CL wearers.…”

“…García-Marqués et al 46 assessed the effect of soft CL wear and duration of wear on the tear film, MG loss of the upper eyelids and MG appearance in the upper eyelids. They showed that CL wearers had significantly more MG loss in the upper eyelid compared with non-CL wearing controls.…”

“…García‐Marqués et al 46 . assessed the effect of soft CL wear and duration of wear on the tear film, MG loss of the upper eyelids and MG appearance in the upper eyelids.…”

CLensRimVision: A Novel Computer Vision Algorithm for Detecting Rim Defects in Contact Lenses

“…Their use has grown substantially over the years due to their convenience and advancements in materials and design [3][4][5]. Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of these lenses is crucial, not only to provide optimal vision but also to prevent potential eye-related complications [6,7]. One of the critical aspects for ensuring the quality of contact lenses is the detection and elimination of defects, particularly in areas that have a direct interface with the eye [8][9][10].…”