Spoilage of hydrogel contact lenses by lipid deposits. Tear-film potassium depression, fat, protein, and alcohol consumption.
"Jelly-bump" deposits, which are composed mainly of lipids, on high water content, extended-wear hydrogel lenses, are a clinically significant problem of unknown etiology. The authors explored the effect of nutrition on the frequency of deposition of these jelly bumps. Forty-three patients were included in this masked case-control study from five contact lens practices in North America. Thirty patients were lipid-depositor cases and 13 were controls. Tear specimens were drawn and analyzed for potassium by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. Detailed dietary histories were conducted and diet nutrient composition was computed. Patients with diminished tear-potassium concentrations have an increased risk of jelly-bump deposition. Elevated intake of protein, alcohol, and cholesterol also appeared to be correlated significantly with increased jelly-bump deposition. The authors found that diabetics and the use of diuretics, anticholinergics, sympathomimetics, were associated with tear-film potassium depletion and lipid deposit formation.
Hart
D E
DE
Contact Lens Research Foundation, Jericho, NY 11753.
Lane
B C
BC
Josephson
J E
JE
Tisdale
R R
RR
Gzik
M
M
Leahy
R
R
Dennis
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000502:physiology; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; C042434:tear proteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011188:Potassium