Abstract
Purpose :
The objective of this study was to compare tear film parameters with and without a contact lens (CL), utilizing a novel device, the Tear Film Imager (TFI), which can dynamically image the muco-aqueous and lipid layer of the tear film.
Methods :
Two sequential images were obtained of the right eye of healthy individuals, first without a CL, and then with a CL. The nanometer resolution of the TFI enabled the creation of detailed maps across the corneal surface that provided information on tear film dynamics. The parameters measured included mucous-aqueous layer thickness (MALT), mucous-aqueous thickness change rate (MALTR), lipid layer thickness (LLT), lipid break-up time (LBUT), interblink interval (IBI), lipid map uniformity (LMU). The images captured natural blinking rates with a large field of view of 6.5 mm diameter.
Results :
13 subjects participated in the study with a mean age of 28.4±3.5 years and a female majority (69%). Of all parameters, MALT (3111.69±576.82 nm → 2357.38±621.73 nm, p=0.004) significantly changed with CL use (data displayed as pre vs post CL). No other significant differences were noted with respect to MALTR, LLT, LBUT, IBI, or LMU pre vs post CL.
Conclusions :
Our study found that MALT decreased with placement of a CL, demonstrating the sensitivity of the TFI in detecting a change in tear film dynamics with an intervention, in this case CL placement.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.