title: Contact lens care solutions: a pilot study of ethnic differences in clinical signs and symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether Asian and white subjects differ in clinical signs or subjective symptoms in response to the use of different biguanide-preserved contact lens care solutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two subjects (15 Asian and 27 white) wearing lotrafilcon B silicone hydrogel contact lenses used a preservative-free lens care solution bilaterally for 2 weeks, then used two biguanide-preserved solutions (solution 1: ReNu MPS; solution 2: AQuify MPS) contralaterally in randomly assigned eyes for 4 weeks. Comprehensive ocular surface examinations were performed and symptomatology questionnaires were administered every 2 weeks. Investigators were masked as to solution assignment during examinations, whereas subjects were not to avoid potential difficulties in compliance with the protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With solution 1, most Asian and white subjects had grade 2 or greater corneal staining after 2 weeks (67% and 59%, respectively) and 4 weeks (60% and 67%, respectively). With solution 2, grade 2 or greater corneal staining occurred in 40% of Asians after 2 weeks and in 13% after 4 weeks, but in only 4% of whites after 2 weeks and 0% after 4 weeks. Whites reported significantly better average comfort (P=0.046) and less dryness (P<0.001) than did Asians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asians and whites differ in both ocular response to the use of contact lens care solutions and in reporting subjective symptoms. Racial and ethnic differences should be considered when evaluating and treating contact lens patients in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
authors.forename: Meng C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001645:Biguanides / Q000009:adverse effects; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000208:ethnology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000208:ethnology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects; D012828:Silicones; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D020100:Hydrogels; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D012828:Silicones; C524582:lotrafilcon B