title: Silicone allergies and the eye: fact or fiction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this manuscript was to review the evidence concerning the role of an allergic reaction to silicone as the basis for the reported increase in contact lens-associated infiltrates in wearers of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was undertaken to investigate the antigenic properties of silicone and the causes of contact lens-associated inflammatory reactions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immune cells cannot interact with silicone directly but can interact with antigens on these lenses. These antigens could be due to tear film deposits, microbial contamination, or components of care systems used with these lenses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflammatory reactions associated with silicone hydrogel contact lens wear are not caused by an allergic reaction to silicone alone.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science (B.J.H., L.W.J.), and Department of Biology (B.D.), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Brad J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Lyndon W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D012826:Silicone Elastomers