Phan,CM, Hui,A., Subbaraman,L., Jones,L. Insights to Using Contact Lenses for Drug Delivery Clin Exp Pharmacol 2014;3(145):2161-1459 [ Show Abstract ]

There has been considerable interest in the potential application of contact lenses for ocular drug delivery. This short communication provides an overview of the challenges faced by delivering drugs using contact lenses, highlights the solutions to limitations that have already been achieved, and describes the barriers that remain before commercial application can be realized.

Potvin,R. J., Doughty,M. J., Fonn,D. Tarsal conjunctival morphometry of asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers and non-lens wearers International Contact Lens Clinic 1994;21(11-12):225-231 [ Show Abstract ]

Soft contact lens wear is known to induce changes in the tarsal conjunctiva; qualitative grading is the current standard for recording such changes. This project was designed to investigate the usefulness of quantitatively assessing the morphometry of the tarsal conjunctiva, through a comparison of eight asymptomatic long-term soft contact lens wearers and eight nonwearers. The right tarsal plates were photographed after staining with fluorescein. A subjective assessment and grading of the fluorescein-highlighted tarsal plates was not able to distinguish the wearers and nonwearers. However, morphometry of the fluorescein-highlighted features across zone 1 of each tarsal plate revealed two basic patterns to the histograms of the areas of these features in both contact lens wearers and nonwearers. The analyses suggest that there are at least two types of "features" highlighted by fluorescein, evident in both wearers and nonwearers. Asymptomatic long-term soft lenswear appears to reduce the size of "small features" and increase the size and variability of "large features". These differences could be shown to be statistically significant. Further refinement of these quantitative assessment techniques should be useful in defining contact lens wear-related changes in the tarsal conjunctiva. © 1994.

Potvin,R. J., Fonn,D., Sorbara,L. Comparison of polycarbonate and steel test surfaces for videokeratography Journal of Refractive Surgery 1995;11(2):89-91 [ Show Abstract ]

BACKGROUND: Assessing video imaging systems for measuring corneal topography often requires test surfaces. Steel bearings have been employed, but manufacturers caution that high reflectance (>90%) relative to the eye (<10%) may compromise test findings. The differences between steel and polycarbonate test surfaces are quantified in this study. METHODS: Images of a steel and a polycarbonate sphere of known radius of curvature were obtained with the Tomey/Computed Anatomy Topographic Modeling System (TMS, Cambridge, Mass). Analysis was performed on the raw video data files and the resultant surface curvature estimates. RESULTS: The raw video images differed sufficiently to affect image processing. Polycarbonate yielded consistently better images. Many steel images (approximately 25%) contained data points that could not be processed; calculated surface contour was more variable for these. Differences were less obvious when these images were removed from the pool. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the manufacturer's caution against the use of steel surfaces for testing or calibration of the TMS instrument. Problems appear due to the fundamental differences in the intensity distributions of video images captured from high- and low-reflectance surfaces.

Pritchard,N., Fonn,D. Dehydration, lens movement and dryness ratings of hydrogel contact lenses Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 1995;15(4):281-286 [ Show Abstract ]

Previous studies have shown that soft lenses dehydrate during lens wear. The purpose of this study was to determine the dehydration time course of 38% water content non-ionic Medalist(®), 58% ionic Acuvue(®) and 74% non-ionic Permaflex(®) lenses, and the relationship between dehydration and in vivo diameter, movement and symptoms of dryness. Nineteen subjects randomly wore three pairs of lenses, each for 7 h. Lens movement and diameter were measured in vivo and hydration after lens removal at 1, 3 and 7 h. Dryness was rated by the subjects using a visual analogue scale. A separate experiment was conducted to measure hydration changes after 7 continuous hours of lens wear. The water content of all three lens types decreased significantly over 7 h with Acuvue decreasing more than the Permaflex and Medalist(®) lenses in the interrupted and continuous experiments (ANOVA P < 0.05). Dehydration of Acuvue was significantly greater in the 7 h continuous experiment (9.0 ± 2.6% H2O, ANOVA P = 0.0062) compared to the interrupted experiment. Hydration levels measured for Acuvue lenses on subjects for control purposes at 0, 1, 3 and 7 h showed no difference over time (ANOVA P = 0.0711). Movement of Permaflex lenses decreased 0.60 ± 0.57 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0005) over 7 h and the in vivo diameter of Acuvue lenses decreased by 0.12 ± 0.16 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0569). Dryness ratings increased significantly and equally for all three lenses over 7 h (ANOVA P = 0.9833). No correlation was found between lens dehydration, movement, diameter and dryness with the exception of a weak significant (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) correlation between dehydration and dryness for Permaflex. The results of the study suggest that dehydration of soft lenses over a 7 h period does not significantly affect the clinical performance (dryness and movement) of the three lens types.

Pritchard,N., Fonn,D. Post-lens tear debris during extended wear of hydrogels Canadian Journal of Optometry 1998;60(2):87-91 [ Show Abstract ]

Debris entrapment after overnight wear of hydrogel lenses has been implicated as a cause of adverse ocular responses. We conducted two short-term pilot studies to determine if post-lens debris is related to the duration of lens wear, lens binding after overnight wear, movement of the lens prior to sleep or lens type. Debris and lens movement patterns upon waking were examined after one night (1N), one day and one night (1D+N) and one week of extended wear (6N). Three lens types were used on 10 subjects for the 1N experiment, and one lens type was used on 6 different subjects for the 1D+N and 6N experiment. Debris did appear to increase with duration of wear and was observed in approximately 60% of subjects after 1N. The appearance of debris observed ranged from light grey streaks to small clumped patches. Acuvue was bound more frequently than Medalist and NewVue. Movement was re-established after approximately 4 minutes of eye opening; however, the lenses appeared more adherent after 6N of overnight wear than after 1N or 1D+N. Debris dissipated after approximately 15 minutes (range 9 to 24 minutes) following eye opening. No statistical association was made between debris, lens binding, movement and lens type in this small group of subjects. These experiments demonstrated that debris appears to increase with duration of wear, may be associated with lens binding in a larger group and is quite difficult to view and quantify.

Pritchard,N., Fonn,D., Weed,K. Ocular and subjective responses to frequent replacement of daily wear soft contact lenses CLAO Journal 1996;22(1):53-59 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: A significant number of soft contact lens wearers develop complications as a result of lens contamination. We conducted a single-blind 2 year clinical trial to determine if scheduled frequent replacement of lenses decreases complications. Methods: One hundred nineteen non-contact lens wearers were fit with soft contact lenses and randomly assigned to 1 or 3 month replacement schedules or a non-replacement (control) group. All subjects were fit with 0.04 mm thick HEMA (water content: 38%) lenses to be worn on a daily wear basis only. A single multipurpose solution was prescribed for cleaning and disinfection. Results: The 2-year results showed a significantly greater number of subjects in the non-replacement group exhibited microcysts, infiltrates, clinically significant corneal staining, and limbal and bulbar injection. As a result of lens deposition and damage, approximately twice the number of unscheduled lens replacements per subject were necessary in the non-replacement group compared with the 1 and 3 month replacement groups. Overall subject satisfaction with lens wear decreased in the non-replacement group and increased in the 1 and 3 month replacement groups over the 2-year period. Conclusions: Frequent replacement of soft lenses for daily wear as compared to non-replacement daily wear: 1) is less likely to cause contact lens induced complications; 2) reduces the number of unscheduled lens replacements; and 3) improves satisfaction with lens wear.

Pritchard,N., Jones,L., Dumbleton,K., Fonn,D. Epithelial inclusions in association with mucin ball development in high-oxygen permeability hydrogel lenses Optometry and Vision Science 2000;77(2):68-72 [ Show Abstract ]

Debris trapped behind contact lenses may be associated with adverse reactions in extended wear. Although streaks and clumps of cellular material have been reported after overnight wear of conventional materials, recent experience with several high-oxygen permeability (Dk), silicone-containing hydrogel lenses indicates that certain participants are prone to the development of a unique back surface debris. This debris forms as spherical, translucent entities and results in depressions within the ocular surface after lens removal. Little information is known about these spherical bodies, particularly with respect to their composition and development. In this report, we provide photographic evidence of this debris (sometimes termed 'mucin balls' or 'lipid plugs'), discuss its differential diagnosis and describe a case in which material seems to be embedded in the epithelium as a direct consequence of their presence.

Pritchard,N., Young,G., Coleman,S., Hunt,C. Subjective and objective measures of corneal staining related to multipurpose care systems Contact Lens and Anterior Eye 2002;363-9 [ Show Abstract ]

An objective, digital-imaging method of measuring corneal staining was evaluated in 24 subjects wearing soft contact lenses. The method was used to compare the clinical performance of common multipurpose care systems (MPS) for soft contact lens care. Subjects used three different MPS, one containing polyquaternium-1 (PQ) and two containing polyhexanide (PX1 and PX2), for 2 weeks in a randomised, single-masked (investigator) crossover study. Corneal staining induced with the three MPS was analysed using an image-processing program (ImageTool, UTHSCSA Version 2, University of Texas, USA). Conjunctival hyperaemia and papillae were also evaluated. The intraclass correlation coefficient was similar with image analysis to that of investigator grading (0.876, 0.879, respectively). Significant differences in staining response were detected using the objective method. There was significantly less staining area with polyquaternium-1 (PQ) than polyhexanide (PQ: 0.12 mm2, PX2:0.91 mm2). Inferior palpebral papillae were significantly greater with PX2 than with PQ (1.0, 0.7 (0-4), respectively). The technique was shown to be an effective method of evaluating different corneal staining responses. Bilateral corneal staining in three or more quadrants is useful in the diagnosis of MPS-related staining. © 2003 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pucker,A. D., Jones-Jordan, L.A., Marx,S., Powell,D. R., Kwan,J. T., Srinivasan,S., Sickenberger,W., Jones,L., The role of soft contact lens wear on meibomian gland morphology and function Eye & Contact Lens 2019;45(4):276-277 [ Show Abstract ]

The impact of a contact lens on the eye has long been of interest to practitioners who prescribe contact lenses and to the patients who wear them. One particular area of concern within the past several years has been related to how a contact lens may impact the meibomian glands (MGs) because changes in MG structure and/or function have the potential to impact the overall integrity of the ocular surface and contact lens success. Ucakhan and Arslanturk-Eren's recent manuscript published in Eye & Contact Lens has attempted to expand our knowledge of this topic by studying a group of contact lens–wearing and non–contact lens–wearing subjects and seeking to understand how the use of silicone hydrogel contact lenses may impact MG health. Their study overall concluded that “soft CL wear causes significant morphological and functional changes in MG with thickening of MG presenting an early diagnostic finding of MG dysfunction on meibography.”

Pucker,A. D., Jones-Jordan, L.A., Marx,S., Powell,D. R., Kwan,J. T., Srinivasan,S., Sickenberger,W., Jones,L., Contact Lens Assessment of Symptomatic Subjects (CLASS) Study Group Clinical factors associated with contact lens dropout Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2019;42(3):318-324 [ Show Abstract ]

PURPOSE: Contact lens (CL) dropout is estimated to be approximately equal to the number of new wearers per year, resulting in virtually no growth in the global CL market. The purpose of this study was to determine ocular and CL factors associated with CL dropout.

METHODS: This five-site study recruited subjects 18-45 years of age who had ceased CL wear within the past 6-12 months due to discomfort. Dropout subjects were compared to age- and sex-matched currently successful CL wearers. Each subject was administered a symptoms survey and a study-specific survey that queried general CL history and compliance. Clinical testing included non-invasive tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, blepharitis assessment, meibum quality and expression, and meibography.

RESULTS: A total of 56 matched-pairs were recruited. Dry eye was found to significantly increase a subject's odds of dropping out of CLs. The odds of dropping out of CLs was also significantly increased with each worsening grade of upper or lower eyelid meibomian gland (MG) plugging, upper eyelid meibum quality, and upper eyelid MG tortuosity. No other factors analyzed increased a subject's odds of dropping out of CLs.

CONCLUSIONS: CL dropout may be precipitated by underlying dry eye symptoms, though most dry eye signs, with the exception of MG structure and function, had minimal predictive value for CL dropout. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that practitioners should screen for and educate CL patients about the importance of maintaining healthy MGs, which may potentially allow them to maintain comfortable CL use and increase their CL longevity.

Pucker,A. D., Jones-Jordan,L. A., Kunnen,C. M. E., Marx,S., Powell,D. R., Kwan,J. T., Srinivasan,S., Sickenberger,W., Jones,L. Impact of meibomian gland width on successful contact lens use Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2019;42(6):646-651 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: To evaluate meibomian gland (MG) width and determine its impact on successful contact lens (CL) use and ocular health.
Methods: A five-site study was conducted by recruiting 18- to 45-year-old subjects who had dropped out of CLs because of discomfort. CL dropouts were compared to age- and sex-matched successful CL wearers. Right eyes were evaluated for tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, MG expressibility, meibum quality, and meibography. Central MG widths were evaluated with a custom MATLAB program.
Results: CL dropouts (n = 56) and successful CL (n = 56) wearers had similar grades for upper (p = 1.0) and lower (p = 0.22) MG atrophy, upper (p = 0.07) and lower (p = 0.89) MG tortuosity, and upper (p = 0.92) and lower (p = 0.97) MG widths. Upper eyelid MG widths were narrower than lower eyelid MG widths (p = 0.03). Upper and lower MG tortuosity (p < 0.001) and widths (p = 0.03) were associated, but not atrophy (p = 0.42). Lower eyelid MG widths were associated with MG expressibility (p = 0.01), but MG widths were not with any other factors.
Conclusions: Successful CL wear does not appear to be clinically influenced by MG width or other measures of MG structural integrity. Lower eyelid MGs were wider than upper eyelid MGs and narrower lower eyelid MGs were associated with worse MG expressibility, suggesting that narrower MGs may produce abnormal meibum. Data also suggests that MG factors of both eyelids should be evaluated in practice.

Pucker,A. D., Jones-Jordan,L. A., Li,W., Kwan,J. T., Lin,M. C., Sickenberger,W., Marx,S., Srinivasan,S., Jones,L. W. Associations with meibomian gland atrophy in daily contact lens wearers Optometry and Vision Science 2015;92(9):e206-e213 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose To determine associations for contact lenses (CLs) and meibomian gland atrophy in a matched-pair study. Methods Contact lens wearers (case) and age- and sex-matched non-contact lens (NCL) wearers with no history of CL use (control) were recruited for a multicenter study. All subjects were administered the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire and a comprehensive battery of clinical tests (e.g., tear breakup time, bulbar and limbal redness, meibography, etc.) were performed. Upper and lower eyelid meibomian gland atrophy were graded with both digital meibography (percent gland atrophy) and visual meiboscore methods. Conditional logistic regression analyses were then used to determine relationships among CL use, meibomian gland atrophy, and ocular surface signs and symptoms. Results A total of 70 matched pairs were analyzed. The mean (±SD) age of the CL group was 30.6 (±12.4) years, and that of the NCL group was 30.1 (±12.2) years. The subjects were 63% female. The association between CL wear and meiboscore was not significant univariately, but the best-fitting multivariate regression model showed that higher meiboscores were associated with being a CL wearer (odds ratio [OR], 2.45) in a model that included eyelid margin erythema (OR, 0.25) and lissamine green staining (OR, 1.25). Percent gland atrophy was not associated with CL wear in regression analysis (p = 0.31). Conclusions This study determined inconclusive associations with CLs and meibomian gland atrophy. This study also provided a comprehensive assessment of differences between CL and NCL wearers. © 2015 American Academy of Optometry.

Qiao,H., Luensmann,D., Heynen,M., Drolle,E., Subbaraman,L. N., Scales,C., Riederer,D., Fadli,Z., Jones,L. In Vitro Evaluation of the Location of Cholesteryl Ester Deposits on Monthly Replacement Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Materials Clinical Ophthalmology 2020;14(September):2821-2828 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: The deposition profile of cholesteryl ester on the surface and throughout the matrix of silicone hydrogel contact lens (CL) materials was determined under conditions that mimic a daily wear regimen.

Methods: In this in vitro study, four SiHy CL materials (senofilcon C, lotrafilcon B, comfilcon A and samfilcon A) were incubated in an artificial tear solution (ATS) for up to 30 days. CL incubation was alternated between the ATS (16 hours) and a multipurpose care regimen (8 hours). The ATS included fluorescently tagged cholesteryl ester (5-cholesten-3ß-ol 6-[(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]caproate; CE-NBD) and confocal laser scanning microscopy visualized the distribution of the lipid through the CLs.

Results: The distribution of CE-NBD was homogenous from the anterior to posterior surface in senofilcon C and comfilcon A, at all time points. For lotrafilcon B and samfilcon A, CE-NBD localization was heterogeneous, with greater amounts on the surfaces on Day 1 and Day 14 compared to the lens matrix; however, differences in concentration between the surface and bulk diminished by Day 30.

Conclusion: The distribution of the non-polar lipid CE-NBD varied with lens material chemistry. While some lens materials deposited the lipid primarily on the surface after 16 hours of exposure, all materials exhibited a homogenous distribution after one month.

Keywords: lipid distribution, silicone hydrogel contact lenses, cholesteryl ester, artificial tear solution

Qiao,H., Phan,C. -M., Walther,H., Subbaraman,L. N., Jones,L. Depth Profile Assessment of the Early Phase Deposition of Lysozyme on Soft Contact Lens Materials Using a Novel In Vitro Eye Model 2018;44(Suppl 2):S11-S18 [ Show Abstract ]

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the location of fluorescently labeled lysozyme on commercial contact lenses (CLs) using an in vitro eye model that simulates tear volume, tear flow, air exposure, and mechanical wear.
METHODS: One commercially available conventional hydrogel CL material (etafilcon A) and three silicone hydrogel CL materials (balafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, and senofilcon A) were evaluated in this study. The CLs were mounted on the in vitro eye model and exposed to artificial tear fluid containing fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lysozyme for 2 and 10 hrs. After these short incubation periods, circular discs were punched from the CLs at the center and periphery and were prepared for confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The CLSM captured a series of consecutive images spaced 5 μm apart, and the resulting images were rendered into two dimensional cross-sectional views of the CL. The mean fluorescence at each 5 μm slice was used to generate a histogram depicting the penetration of FITC-lysozyme into CLs.
RESULTS: For both incubation periods, the CLSM images and histogram of etafilcon A showed that FITC-lysozyme is more concentrated at the lens surface, with a moderate amount of deposition in the lens matrix. For balafilcon A, FITC-lysozyme was evenly distributed throughout the lens. For lotrafilcon B, there was a greater amount of FITC-lysozyme deposition on the surfaces of the lens versus the matrix. Senofilcon A had differential FITC-lysozyme distribution profiles depending on the location of the lens. At the lens periphery, FITC-lysozyme primarily deposited on the surface, whereas FITC-lysozyme was uniformly distributed at the center of the lens.
CONCLUSIONS: With the use of a sophisticated in vitro eye model, the study revealed a complex deposition pattern of FITC-labeled lysozyme on various CL materials after short periods of exposure. An understanding of the early deposition pattern of lysozyme on different CL material may elucidate new insights into the processes behind CL discomfort.

Qiu,S. X., Fadel,D., Hui,A. Scleral Lenses for Managing Dry Eye Disease in the Absence of Corneal Irregularities: What Is the Current Evidence? Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;13(13):3838 [ Show Abstract ]

Scleral lenses (SLs) are large-diameter rigid contact lenses that are a mainstay treatment for eyes with corneal irregularities. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the role of managing dry eye disease (DED) with SLs, as many patients with DED have reported symptomatic relief with SL wear. The role of SLs for DED management when there are associated corneal irregularities is supported by individual case reports and studies. This has prompted practitioners to begin advocating using SLs in DED cases, even in the absence of associated corneal irregularities and other ocular surface diseases (OSDs). There have also been discussions on potentially placing SLs earlier in the treatment hierarchy of DED, where it currently sits at a more advanced level of intervention (Step 3) in the TFOS DEWS II Report. This review will present the currently available, albeit sparse, evidence that supports and suggests this practice, as well as ancillary evidence supporting the purported benefits of SL wear in DED. The advantages of SL wear, such as corneal healing, absence of tear evaporation and contact lens dehydration, and improved visual acuity with associated increased wear comfort, and how this will benefit DED patients will be explored. Conversely, the challenges associated with fitting SLs in DED patients, including increased midday fogging, poor wettability, and subjective patient satisfaction, will also be presented, as well as a discussion on the key considerations for SL fitting in this population. Overall, while more research is needed to support the use of SLs in DED patients without associated corneal irregularities and other forms of OSD, the use of these lenses may prove to have a potentially wider role given their reported ancillary benefits in these populations.

Ramaswamy,M., Ho,B., Phan,C. M., Qin,N., Ren,C. L., Jones,L. Inexpensive and rapid fabrication of PDMS microfluidic devices for biological testing applications using low cost commercially available 3D printers Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 2023;33(10):105016 [ Show Abstract ]

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers have been extensively used in the development of microfluidic devices, capable of miniaturizing biomolecular and cellular assays to the microliter and nanoliter range, thereby increasing the throughput of experimentation. PDMS has been widely used due to its optical clarity and biocompatibility, among other desirable physical and chemical properties. Despite the widespread use of PDMS in microfluidic devices, the fabrication process typically requires specialized facilities, instruments, and materials only available in a limited number of laboratories. To expand microfluidic research capabilities to a greater scientific population, we developed and characterized a simple and robust method of fabricating relatively inexpensive PDMS microfluidic devices using readily available reagents and commercially available 3D printers. The moulds produced from the 3D printers resolve designed microfluidic channel features accurately with high resolution ( >100 µm). The critical physical and chemical post-processing modifications we outline here are required to generate functional and optically clear microfluidic devices.

Rangarajan,R., Ketelson,H. A., Do,R., McCanna,D. J., Suko,A., Enstone,D., Subbaraman,L., Dantam,J., Jones,L. W. Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation Journal of Visualized Experiments 2020 (159):e60812 [ Show Abstract ]

Artificial lipid-containing tear formulations are developed to reduce tear evaporation by the restoration of a deficient tear lipid layer. Artificial tear formulations that prevent cell desiccation will result in ocular surface protection and the maintenance of cell metabolic activity. During dehydration, cells undergo the process of loss of metabolic activity and subsequently cell death. This work describes a method for assessing the efficacy of artificial tear formulations. The metabolic dye (i.e., alamarBlue) changes from a low fluorescent molecule resazurin to a fluorescent molecule resorufin in viable cells. The biological performance of an artificial tear formulation is measured as the ability of the formulation to (a) maintain cell viability and (b) provide cell protection from desiccation. Growth media and saline are used as controls for the cell viability/desiccation tests. Cells are incubated with test solutions for 30 min and then desiccated for 0 or 5 min at 37 °C and 45% relative humidity. Cell metabolic activity after initial exposure and after cell desiccation is then determined. The results show the comparative effects of eye drop formulations on cell metabolic activity and desiccation protection. This method can be used to test dry eye formulations that are designed to treat individuals with evaporative dry eye.

Regan,D., Simpson,T. Multiple sclerosis can cause visual processing deficits specific to texture-defined form Neurology 1995;45(4):809-815 [ Show Abstract ]

We performed the following tests in 25 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 25 age-matched control subjects: recognition of texture-defined (TD) letters; recognition of motion-defined (MD) letters; and recognition of luminance-defined (LD) letters of 96% and 11% contrasts. Six patients with normal visual acuity were abnormal on recognizing TD letters, of whom one gave normal results on all other tests. Eleven patients were abnormal on MD letter recognition, of whom four gave normal results on all other tests. Visual acuity for letters of 11% contrast were abnormally low in seven patients, of whom two gave normal results on all other tests. We conclude that the neural mechanisms underlying recognition of TD, MD, and low-contrast LD letters in subjects with normal visual acuity are sufficiently different that they can be differentially damaged by MS. Therefore, TD, MD, and LD letter tests provide complementary information. We suggest that the detection of TD letters can be disrupted by demyelination of long-range horizontal connections between orientation-tuned neurons in the striate cortex.

Regmi,S. C., Samsom,M. L., Heynen,M. L., Jay,G. D., Sullivan,B. D., Srinivasan,S., Caffery,B., Jones,L., Schmidt,T. A. Degradation of proteoglycan 4/lubricin by cathepsin S: Potential mechanism for diminished ocular surface lubrication in Sjögren's syndrome Experimental eye research 2017;161:1-9 [ Show Abstract ]

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands with hallmark clinical symptoms of dry eye and dry mouth. Recently, markedly increased cathepsin S (CTSS) activity has been observed in the tears of SS patients. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), also known as lubricin, is an effective boundary lubricant that is naturally present on the ocular surface. While PRG4 is susceptible to proteolytic digestion, the potential effect of CTSS on PRG4 remains unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of CTSS to enzymatically degrade purified PRG4, and PRG4 naturally present in human tears, and alter ocular surface boundary lubricating properties. To assess the potential time course and dose-dependency of PRG4 digestion by CTSS, full-length recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4) was incubated at 37 °C with or without CTSS in an enzymatic digestion buffer. Digestion of PRG4 by CTSS was also examined within normal human tear samples, both with and without supplementation by rhPRG4. Finally, digestion of endogenous PRG4 by CTSS, and the effect of a CTSS inhibitor, was examined in SS tears on Schirmer strips. Digestion products were separated on 3–8% SDS-PAGE and visualized by protein staining and western blotting. The boundary lubricating ability of rhPRG4 samples was assessed using an in vitro human eyelid-cornea friction test. Finally, SDS-PAGE protein stain bands resulting from rhPRG4 digestion were submitted for tandem mass spectrometry analysis to confirm their identity as PRG4 and identify non-tryptic cleavage sites. CTSS digested rhPRG4 in a time and dose dependent manner. CTSS digestion of rhPRG4 at 1% (where % is the mass ratio of CTSS to rhPRG4) resulted in a time dependent decrease in the full-length, ~460 kDa, monomeric rhPRG4 band, and an appearance of lower MW fragments. After 20 h, no full-length rhPRG4 was observed. Furthermore, with an increased relative enzyme concentration of 3%, no protein bands were observed after 2 h, indicating complete digestion of rhPRG4. Western blotting demonstrated PRG4 is present in normal human tears, and that rhPRG4, tears, and tears supplemented with rhPRG4 incubated with 3–9% CTSS demonstrated decreased intensity of high MW PRG4 bands, indicative of partial degradation by CTSS. Similarly, western blotting of PRG4 in SS tears incubated with CTSS demonstrated decreased intensity of high MW PRG4 bands, which was reversed in the presence of the CTSS inhibitor. CTSS treatment of rhPRG4 resulted in an increased friction coefficient, compared to untreated controls. Lastly, the lower MW bands were confirmed to be PRG4 fragments by tandem mass spectrometry, and 6 non-tryptic cleavage sites were identified. rhPRG4 is susceptible to proteolytic digestion by CTSS, both alone and in human tears, which results in diminished ocular surface boundary lubricating ability. Moreover, endogenous PRG4 is susceptible to proteolytic digestion by CTSS, both in normal and SS tears. Given the elevated activity of CTSS in SS tears, and the role intact PRG4 plays in ocular surface health and lubrication, degradation of PRG4 by CTSS is a potential mechanism for diminished ocular surface lubrication in SS. Collectively these results suggest that tear supplementation of PRG4 may be beneficial for SS patients. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Richards,J., Jaskulski,M., Woods,J., Guthrie,S., Kollbaum,P. Optical characterisation and vision quality assessment of two myopia control contact lenses Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 2025;Online ahead of print [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose
This investigation examined the image and vision quality of two commercially available daily disposable myopia control soft contact lenses.

Methods
Wavefront errors were measured with an SHS Ophthalmic aberrometer for two myopia control soft contact lenses: a coaxially designed dual-focus lens (omafilcon A, CooperVision MiSight® 1 day, MS1d) and a design employing multiple add powers that included non-coaxial optics in annular add zones (senofilcon A, Johnson & Johnson Vision ACUVUE® Abiliti™ 1-Day, AB). Geometric optics ray tracing generated point-spread functions and wave optics were used to compare modulation transfer functions (MTFs) and simulated letter images. Twenty-six myopic children completed a randomised, non-dispensing, contralateral double-masked clinical trial. After 1 h of wear, right and left eye visual acuity (VA), subjective vision quality and lens preference (Likert) were assessed while viewing monocularly.

Results
The lens containing non-coaxial optics employed a small central zone with approximately +10.00 D of added power and two annular rings with a power gradient typical of non-coaxial optics. The coaxial design contained a centre zone with a distance correction and two annular zones with a fixed add power of approximately +2.00 D. MTFs and simulated images were better with small pupils, which was most noticeable with the coaxial design. Distance VA was -0.02 ± 0.04 with MS1d and 0.09 ± 0.08 with AB, p < 0.01. The majority of participants (77%) reported a preference for one lens; 54% preferred the MS1d and 23% preferred the AB lens.

Conclusions
Myopia control contact lenses employing coaxial or a mixture of coaxial and non-coaxial optics both reduced retinal image contrast but successfully imaged high spatial frequencies and provided high quality of vision. Image and vision quality were slightly superior in the lens employing coaxial optics alone.

Robinson,B., Feng,Y., Woods,C. A., Fonn,D., Gold,D., Gordon,K. Prevalence of visual impairment and uncorrected refractive error-report from a canadian urban population-based study Ophthalmic epidemiology 2013;20(3):123-130 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: The prevalence of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error has not been previously studied in Canada. A population-based study was conducted in Brantford, Ontario. Methods: The target population included all people 40 years of age and older. Study participants were selected using a randomized sampling strategy based on postal codes. Presenting distance and near visual acuities were measured with habitual spectacle correction, if any, in place. Best corrected visual acuities were determined for all participants who had a presenting distance visual acuity of less than 20/25. Results: Population weighted prevalence of distance visual impairment (visual acuity <20/40 in the better eye) was 2.7% (n=768, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-4.0%) with 71.8% correctable by refraction. Population weighted prevalence of near visual impairment (visual acuity <20/40 with both eyes) was 2.2% (95% CI 1.4-3.6) with 69.1% correctable by refraction. Multivariable adjusted analysis showed that the odds of having distance visual impairment was independently associated with increased age (odds ratio, OR, 3.56, 95% CI 1.22-10.35; 65 years compared to those 39-64 years), and time since last eye examination (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.19-20.32; 5 years compared to 2 years). The same factors appear to be associated with increased prevalence of near visual impairment but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The majority of visual impairment found in Brantford was due to uncorrected refractive error. Factors that increased the prevalence of visual impairment were the same for distance and near visual acuity measurements. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Rueff,E., Tichenor,A. A., Ngo,W., Pucker,A. D. A review of meibomian gland structure, function, and contact lens wear Contact Lens Anterior Eye 2022;45(5):101560 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: To provide a balanced literature review of the studies that have evaluated the effect of contact lenses on meibomian gland (MG) health.

Methods: A PubMed.gov literature search was conducted on or before May 15, 2021. No other time constraints were applied. Search terms included the following: "meibomian gland(s)" plus "contact lens(es)" or "meibography" plus "contact lens(es)". Only full text articles written in English were considered. The reference lists of recovered papers were used to identify articles missed during the primary search. Included articles were required to discuss the impact of contact lenses on MG morphology or function and were graded according to the level of evidence presented.

Results: The literature indicates that contact lenses impact MG function; however, the data are equivocal regarding contact lenses inducing MG structural changes. The literature likewise indicates that the mechanism(s) by which contact lenses impact the MGs are likely multifactorial. Recent data suggests that MGs may have some plasticity. Detected differences between studies likely stem from varied populations evaluated, study designs, and the duration of the evaluation periods.

Conclusions: With this literature review finding conflicting relationships between MG health and contact lens use, future longitudinal studies with standardized clinical MG assessments are needed to determine the true impact of contact lenses on MG health. Until these data are obtained, contact lens wearers should undergo a full MG evaluation, especially because recent data suggest that MG treatments may restore MG structure and function.

Samsom,M., Chan,A., Iwabuchi,Y., Subbaraman,L., Jones,L., Schmidt,TA In vitro friction testing of contact lenses and human ocular tissues: Effect of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) Tribology International 2014;89:27-33

Samsom,M., Chan,A., Iwabuchi,Y., Subbaraman,L., Jones,L., Schmidt,TA In vitro friction testing of contact lenses and human ocular tissues: Effect of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) Tribology International 2015;89:27-33 [ Show Abstract ]

Contact lens friction was recently shown to correlate with in vivo comfort, with lower friction lenses providing improved comfort. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is a recently discovered ocular surface boundary lubricant. The objectives of this study were to measure the friction of commercially available silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses against human cornea and eyelid tissues, and evaluate the ability of PRG4 to lubricate, and adhere to, SiHy contact lenses. The in vitro friction test employed here effectively measured and distinguished the SiHy contact lens friction coefficients against human eyelid and cornea tissues, and PRG4 functioned as an effective boundary lubricant.

Sara,M. Hui,A., Yasir,M., Hari Kumar,P., Kalaiselvan,P., Willcox,M. Intrastromal Corneal Ring Implants Associated Bacterial Infections Current Eye Research 2024;49(10):1012-1020 [ Show Abstract ]

Purpose: This study examines the incidence of infection and resistance associated with Intracorneal Ring Segment (ICRS) implantation, a common outpatient surgical treatment for correcting refractive errors and corneal ectatic diseases. Although ICRS procedures are typically safe and reversible, there is a low but notable risk of microbial infections, which require prompt and sometimes invasive treatment.

Methods: Three electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus, were utilised to search for literature according to PRISMA guidelines to identify infections related to the implantation of ICRS in the cornea between January 2000 and December 2022.

Results: Gram-positive organisms were involved in 86% of cases: 35.7% S. aureus, 25% coagulase-negative staphylococci species, 17.8% streptococci and 7.1% Nocardia species. Less commonly recorded were Gram-negative bacteria (14%), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (circa 10%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (4%) being the most common Gram-negative bacteria. In rare cases, fungi have also been reported. ICRS-related bacterial infections can be categorised into early or late onset. Early onset infection typically manifests within the first few weeks after implantation and is often associated with contamination during surgery, unhygienic practices, or inadequate sterilisation techniques. On the other hand, late-onset infection may develop months or even years after the initial procedures and may be associated with persistent bacterial colonisation, secondary infections, or prolonged use of prophylactic antibiotics. S aureus is encountered in both early and late-onset infections, while Nocardia species and K. pneumoniae have generally been reported to occur in late-onset infections. In addition, vision recovery from S. aureus infections tends to be poor compared to other bacterial infections.

Conclusion: S. aureus is a predominant pathogen that often requires surgical intervention with poor outcomes. Early infections result from incision gaps and ring segment rubbing, while late infections are linked to prolonged antibiotic use. Further research is needed on novel antimicrobial ICRS to procure the vision.