[Dry eye signs and symptoms in hydrogel contact lens wearers: relation to smoking habit].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there may be a relationship between the smoking habit ant the presence of dry eye signs and symptoms in a population of hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers.


METHODS
60 adults HCL wearers were chosen randomly. The sample was divided into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers of less than 15 cigarettes per day and smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day. The ocular symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire (modified Mc Monnies test). Evaluation of tear meniscus, Schirmer test with anesthesia, non invasive break-up time (NIBUT), slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining were performed to assess ocular signs of dry eye.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found among the three study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking does not seem to affect the presence of signs and symptoms of ocular dryness in a population of HCL wearers and does not predispose to contact lens intolerance.
Gabela Merino
M I
MI
Instituto de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, España.
González García
M J
MJ
Mayo Iscar
A
A
Calonge Cano
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*