Do Daily Disposable Contact Lenses Cause Less Damage to the Ocular Surface?

Daily disposable contact lenses were found to cause less damage to the ocular surface than reusable lenses, according to a new study in Cornea. They also resulted in less increased proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Researchers evaluated 71 individuals who were given daily disposable hydrogel contact lenses (n = 22), daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses (n = 25), and reusable silicone hydrogel contact lenses (n = 24). Tear function tests and inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A) were evaluated before and 1 and 3 months after use.

There was a statistically significant difference between groups in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17A levels at 1 and 3 months. A statistically significant increase was also determined over time in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17A levels in all groups.

Reference:

Muhafiz E, Bayhan HA, Sahin S, Gocmen AY, Asian Bayhan S, Gurdal C. Evaluation of the ocular surface in different contact lens replacement schedules [published online ahead of print May 2019]. Cornea. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000001870.