Lubricant effects on low Dk and silicone hydrogel lens comfort.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of three lubricants of varying viscosity, on postinsertion and 6 h comfort with contact lens wear.


METHODS
Comfort and associated symptoms of dryness were assessed in 15 experienced contact lens wearers. Subjects wore a low Dk lens in one eye and a silicone hydrogel in the other and participated in four separate trials involving no lubricant (baseline), saline, and two commercially available lubricants of differing viscosity. The in-eye lubricants were used immediately following lens insertion and every 2 h postinsertion for a 6 h wear period.


RESULTS
Postlens insertion comfort was significantly better for both lens types when lubricants or saline were used compared with no lubricant use. After 6 h lens wear, comfort was influenced by lens type and not by in-eye lubricant or saline use. Also after 6 h lens wear, less dryness sensation was reported for silicone hydrogel lenses when using lubricants but not saline.


CONCLUSIONS
Although lubricant use does help reduce dryness symptoms with silicone hydrogel lens wear, there appears to be minimal longer-term benefit to comfort. Furthermore, increased lubricant viscosity did not lead to improved longer-term comfort.
Ozkan
Jerome
J
The Institute for Eye Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. j.ozkan@ier.org.au
Papas
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012828:Silicones; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014783:Viscosity; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D020100:Hydrogels; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D012828:Silicones; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C481129:lotrafilcon A; D005466:Fluorocarbons