Contact Lens & Anterior Eye最新文献

Purpose: Successful management of dry eye disease depends upon an effective two-way communication between eyecare practitioners and affected patients. However, there has been limited investigation into the perspectives of patients with dry eye disease in the United Kingdom regarding their risk factors and desired treatment outcomes.

Methods: An online, self-administered, anonymous survey was distributed to patients based in the United Kingdom who have had a diagnosis of dry eye disease between November 2023 to March 2024. The survey consisted of four main sections including demographics, the 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), and Likert scales rating the likelihood of various risk factors contributing to their dry eyes and the desired treatment outcomes in various components of signs and symptoms.

Results: The survey was completed by 152 respondents (mean age 51.7 ± 16.7 years, 103 females). Respondents rated environmental conditions the highest in terms of likelihood of contributing to their dry eye disease [median (interquartile range): 7.5 (5-10)], followed by digital device use [7 (4-9)] and poor sleep quality [4 (1-7)]. In terms of desired treatment outcomes, symptom frequency and severity as well as tear stability were ranked the highest in importance [10 (8-10)].

Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the perceptions of dry eye patients in the United Kingdom regarding lifestyle or modifiable risk factors contributing to their dry eye disease, as well as the most important treatment outcomes of these patients. These aspects should be considered by clinicians in the management of dry eye disease, as well as researchers particularly when designing studies which investigate treatment effects of current and novel dry eye interventions.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of LipiFlow for treating signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in adults.

Methods: The following databases were searched for randomized trials: CENTRAL, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase.com, PubMed, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP on 24 October 2022. The included studies were conducted in adults (≥18 years) with DED or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) as defined by the investigators. Standard Cochrane methodology was applied.

Results: This study included 13 trials that randomized a total of 1,155 participants (66 % female; age range = 19 to 86 years). Five trials compared LipiFlow with basic warm compresses. Analyzing symptom scores in these trials yielded conflicting evidence of a difference in symptoms between LipiFlow and basic warm compresses after 4 weeks. There was no evidence of a difference in meibomian gland expression, meibum quality, or tear breakup time when comparing LipiFlow with basic warm compresses. Another 5 trials compared LipiFlow with thermostatic devices. Analysis of symptom scores in these trials at 4 weeks showed that thermostatic devices had reduced Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores by a mean difference of 4.59 as compared with LipiFlow. The remaining 3 included trials could not be grouped for comparisons. The overall evidence was of low or very low certainty, with most trials being assessed as having a high risk of bias. No trial reported any intervention-related, vision-threating adverse events.

Conclusions: LipiFlow performs similarly to other DED treatments. Further research with adequate masking and a standardized testing methodology is still needed.

Purpose: To evaluate the discriminative abilities and optimal cut-off values of qualitative meiboscale grading and percentage meibomian gland dropout measurements from each of two instruments (Keratograph 5M and LipiView II) in detecting dry eye disease, as defined by the TFOS DEWS II criteria.

Methods: A total of 227 community residents (143 females, 84 males; mean ± SD age, 36 ± 15 years) were recruited in a prospective, investigator-masked, randomised, crossover study. Dry eye symptomology, tear film parameters, and ocular surface characteristics were evaluated in a single clinical session. Qualitative meiboscale grading and quantitative percentage gland dropout assessment using Image J software were evaluated by independent masked assessors, in a randomised order.

Results: Overall, 92 (41 %) participants fulfilled the TFOS DEWS II criteria for dry eye disease. The diagnostic performances for percentage meibomian gland dropout measurements (C-statistic range, 0.629 to 0.647) were significantly greater than qualitative meiboscale grading (C-statistic range, 0.547 to 0.560) for both instruments. The Youden-optimal diagnostic cut-off percentage gland dropout was > 20 % and optimal threshold meiboscale grade was > 1 for both superior and inferior eyelid measurements from the two instruments. Inter-instrument weighted Cohen's kappa coefficients for meiboscale grading were 0.734 and 0.682, respectively, and Bland-Altman biases (95 % limits of agreement) for percentage gland dropout were -1.8 % (-28.1 % to 24.4 %) and -1.5 % (-29.3 % to 26.2 %), respectively.

Conclusions: Despite exhibiting comparable discriminative abilities, meibography parameters obtained from the Keratograph and LipiView were not directly interchangeable. Overall, percentage gland dropout measurements demonstrated superior diagnostic performance, which would support their use in clinical trials and epidemiology studies, where practicable.

Purpose: To examine intrasession repeatability and interobserver reproducibility of tear meniscus height (TMH) and non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT) measurements provided by ICP Tearscope, and their agreement with Keratograph 5 M measurements in persons with and without dry eye.

Methods: Participants were 48 individuals with dry eye disease (DED) and 44 healthy controls. To determine intrasession repeatability, two consecutive TMH and NIBUT measurements were carried out by a single experienced examiner using ICP Tearscope. For interobserver reproducibility, a second masked investigator measured TMH and NIBUT on the first image and video captured by the examiner. Keratograph 5 M measurements of both variables were carried out by the same examiner. Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated through within-subject standard deviation (Sw), coefficient of variation (CoV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots (bias and limits of agreement (LoA)).

Results: The TMH measurement with ICP Tearscope showed both, a moderate intrasession repeatability (Sw = 0.045, CoV < 19.82 %, ICC > 0.684) and interobserver reproducibility (Sw = 0.032, CoV < 14.09 %, ICC > 0.926). The NIBUT measurement showed worse intrasession repeatability in the DED group (CoV = 27.53 %) than in the Control group (CoV = 13.31 %). Even though similar Sw, LoA and ICC values were observed in both groups (Sw = 2.55 s and 2.34 s; LoA = -6.60 to 5.18 s and -4.82 to 6.51 s, Control and DED respectively, ICCs > 0.95). Interobserver reproducibility indicated a moderate amount of variability with CoV ≤ 15.01 % recorded in both groups. Agreement between the two devices was poor. Limits of agreement were not clinically acceptable for TMH (LoA = -0.19 to 0.14 mm and -0.16 to 0.13 mm, Control and DED, respectively) and for NIBUT (LoA = -12.74 to 14.08 s and -12.19 to 12.87 s, Control and DED, respectively).

Conclusions: ICP Tearscope provides TMH and NIBUT measurements that show weak repeatability and moderate interobserver reproducibility. This device is not interchangeable with the Keratograph 5 M.

Purpose: To investigate microplastics (MP) contamination in artificial tear (AT) products.

Method: Five hyaluronic acid ATs (two multi-use and three disposable ATs) were used to gauge MP levels in three scenarios: 1) initial drop and remaining liquid after opening the lid upward; 2) remaining liquid after opening the lid downward and discarding two drops; and 3) remaining liquid after opening the lid downward and discarding half of it. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the quantity, morphological characteristics, and composition of MPs. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to examine the surface traits and elements of MPs and ATs.

Results: MPs were detected in 4 out of 5 ATs in the initial drops, containing 0.50 ± 0.65 particles/30 mL, whereas the remaining solution had 0.75 ± 0.72 particles/30 mL. After discarding two drops, 0.14 ± 0.35 particles/30 mL were present in the remaining solution. No MPs were detected after discarding half drops. Most MPs were transparent (95 %), irregular fragments (55 %) sized 10-20 μm (35 %), and made of polyethylene (95 %). If patients use the first drops of ATs four times a day for a year, individuals can be exposed to 730.0 particles. This exposure can be reduced to 204.4 particles by discarding the first two drops before use.

Conclusion: MPs are observed in commercially available ATs, and human eyes may be directly exposed to MPs through the use of ATs.

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy of different disinfecting methods for contact lenses (CL) against Acanthamoeba castellanii (AC) using quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on RNA detection.

Methods: Three CL materials: rigid gas permeable (RGP), hydrogel (Hy), and silicone hydrogel (SiHy), were contaminated with 1x10⁵ amoebae/ml and incubated for 24 h at 30 °C. After contamination, pre-cleaning steps were performed before using four maintenance solutions based on hydrogen peroxide (HP), sodium hypochlorite (SH), povidone-iodine (PI), and a multipurpose solution (MS). The pre-cleaning steps involved using a cleaner (20 % isopropyl alcohol) and rinsing the CL. Disinfection systems 1 and 2 involved no cleaner and rinsed the CL with tap water or saline solution, respectively. Systems 3 and 4 included a cleaner and rinsed with tap water or saline, respectively. After cleaning, A. castellanii was extracted and stored for qPCR analysis, using Hsp70 and TPBF genes to detect RNA A. castellanii. Results were presented as the percentage of positives or negatives (presence or absence of amoebae), with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Disinfection system 1 with MS resulted in 56 % positives for RGP lenses and 100 % positives for both hydrogel materials. When MS was combined with a cleaner, 12.5 % positives were found for SiHy and 100 % negatives for Hy and RGP lenses (p < 0.05). PI solution alone yielded 38 % and 12 % positives for hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses, respectively, but was 100 % effective when combined with a cleaner. HP and SH, whether combined with a cleaner or not, were effective against AC for all CL materials, except HP without a cleaner for Hy lenses.

Conclusion: All disinfection methods showed some efficacy against Acanthamoeba on any CL material. The most effective solutions were those based on hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite. Using a cleaner enhanced the final disinfecting efficacy, especially with the multipurpose solution.

Purpose: To assess the repeatability of measures for dry eye disease (DED) symptoms and signs in the DREAM study.

Methods: At screening and baseline visits approximately 2 weeks apart, participants were assessed for symptoms by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Brief Ocular Discomfort Index (BODI), and signs by the same physician in the same order: tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, conjunctival staining, Meibomian gland evaluation, and the Schirmer test. The repeatability of DED symptoms and signs was assessed by interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 95 % limits of agreement, and the percent of eyes with inter-visit difference above the clinically significant threshold.

Results: Among 1046 eyes (523 participants), ICC for signs ranged from 0.53 (TBUT) to 0.73 (corneal staining). A substantial percentage of eyes showed clinically significant inter-visit differences: ≥2 points in 17.8 % of eyes for conjunctival staining; ≥3 points in 18.8 % for corneal staining; >2 s in 14.1 % for TBUT; ≥5 mm/5 min in 29.9 % for the Schirmer test, and ≥ 2 points in 27.5 % for Meibomian gland plugging and lid secretion. The OSDI and BODI had ICC of 0.64 and 0.63 respectively, and nearly 40 % of participants had inter-visit score differences ≥ 10 points.

Conclusion: In DREAM participants with moderate-to-severe DED, DED signs and symptoms had moderate repeatability, with ocular surface staining scores being the most repeatable and TBUT the least repeatable. A notable percentage of participants had inter-visit differences above the clinically meaningful threshold. These test-retest variabilities in DED signs and symptoms should be considered for designing clinical trials and monitoring disease progression.

Purpose: To assess the tear levels of a set of apoptotic, matrix-degrading and antioxidant biomarkers, including Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) and Superoxide Dismutase 3-Extracellular (SOD3).

Methods: Sandwich-ELISA commercial kits were used to test the expression of the three tear biomarkers in the lacrimal fluid of eligible participants. Linear logistic regression analysis was performed todetermine whether the set of tear biomarkers could be associated with clinically manifest keratoconus. ROC curve analysis using 10-fold cross-validation was performedto evaluate the prediction accuracy of the model.

Results: Eighty-one participants aged 30-48 years old were enrolled in this study; 48 were patients with keratoconus and 33 were age-matched healthy subjects. The linear combination of the three tear biomarkers levels (AUC = 0.811; CI 95 %: 0.712-0.911) accurately indicated the existence of keratoconus; higher levels of MMP9 (Odd Ratio: 1.069; CI 95 %: 1.029-1.130) and HMGB1 (OR: 1.011; CI 95 %: 1.003-1.022) and lower levels of SOD3 (OR: 0.994; CI 95 %: 0.989-0.997) were significantly associated with a higher probability of keratoconus.

Conclusion: Multivariable analysis of the set of tear levels of MMP9, HMGB1 and SOD3 biomarkers confirmed a chronic state of inflammation in the ocular surface of patients with keratoconus.