Differences in the daily symptoms associated with the silicone hydrogel contact lens wear.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the differences in symptoms associated with daily wear of silicone hydrogel (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses (CLs) after CL insertion and at the end of wear and their relationship with environmental factors and multipurpose solutions (Solo-care Aqua, CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA and Hidro Health, Disop, Spain).


METHODS
Fifty-four patients were fitted with lotrafilcon B CLs. Two multipurpose solutions were randomly assigned and prescribed in a double-masked crossover study with three visits. After each solution was used, two questionnaires were conducted, including a survey produced by us and Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire. Our questionnaire included 10 items addressing discomfort, blurry vision, lens-handling problems, dryness, redness, tearing, burning, itching, discharge, and dissatisfaction. Patients were assigned scores from 0 (without symptoms) to 10 (symptoms unbearable) at two different times (after CL insertion and at the end of wear) and in two environments (outdoors and adverse environments).


RESULTS
The average duration of CL wear was 8.32 +/- 2.27 hr/day and 5.85 +/- 1.30 days/week. All symptoms became worse (P < 0.05 Wilcoxon test, except lens handling) at the end of CL wear in all visits. The results were independent of the multipurpose solution used (P > 0.05 Friedman test), except for tearing, which showed statistical differences between visits (P = 0.03 Friedman test). Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire showed increased dry eye symptoms at the end of wear (P < 0.05 Friedman test).


CONCLUSIONS
Daily wear symptoms associated with lotrafilcon B CL increase with the time of wear. This increase in symptoms is nonrelated with the multipurpose solutions compared in this study.
Martin
Raul
R
Department of Physics TAO, School of Optometry, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain. raul@ioba.med.uva.es
Sanchez
Irene
I
de la Rosa
Cristina
C
de Juan
Victoria
V
Rodriguez
Guadalupe
G
de Paz
Isabel
I
Zalama
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055656:Prescriptions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D012826:Silicone Elastomers