Contact lens discomfort associated with altered lipid deposition and tear stability

Contact lens discomfort in silicone hydrogel lens (SCL) wearers was associated with higher ratios of lipid fatty acid degradation on the lenses and reduced tear film stability, according to a study.

The analysis included 38 eyes from 38 participants, all of whom wore frequent-replacement silicone hydrogel lenses (Comfilcon A). Tear break-up time, meibomian gland morphology, subjective symptoms, and lipid deposition on lenses were measured before and after two weeks of SCL wear.

After 2 weeks of lens wear, symptomatic SCL wearers showed significantly higher fatty acid ratios and shorter non-invasive tear break-up times compared with asymptomatic wearers. J-CLDEQ-8 total scores were significantly correlated with fatty acid ratios and non-invasive tear break-up time. Prior to lens wear, symptomatic participants also had significantly shorter fluorescein tear break-up times and more severe upper eyelid meibomian gland morphology changes than asymptomatic participants.

Reference
Itokawa T, Suzuki T, Kakisu K, et al. Impact of lipid degradation and tear film stability on silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers with discomfort. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2026;49(2):102616. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2026.102616. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41529586.