Ocular Surface Integrity, Dry Eye Signs and Symptoms in Wearers of Coloured Soft Contact Lenses from Different Sources: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: This study explored the effects of wearing coloured soft contact lenses (CL), sourced

from both optometry and non-optometry providers, on ocular surface integrity and dry eye signs and

symptoms. Methods: Five participants were randomly assigned to wear a pair of contact lenses from

one of the two sources for one month, followed by a one-month washout period, after which they

switched to lenses from the other source. Ocular surface integrity was assessed through

measurements of tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive keratograph tear film breakup time

(NIKBUT), and tear breakup time (TBUT) at three intervals: during the initial visit, one week postwear,

and one month post-wear. Additionally, participants completed the Contact Lens Dry Eye

Questionnaire-8 (CLDEQ-8) at the one-week and one-month follow-up visits to evaluate dry eye

status. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyse changes in ocular surface integrity over the

one-month period, while paired sample t-tests were conducted to assess changes in CLDEQ-8 scores

between the one-week and one-month follow-ups. Results: The repeated measures ANOVA showed

no significant differences in TMH, NIKBUT, or TBUT between the two types of contact lenses over the

one-month period (p > 0.05). Similarly, paired samples t-tests revealed no significant changes in

CLDEQ-8 scores between the base line, one-week and one-month follow-up visits (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The study concluded that there were no significant differences in ocular surface integrity

or dry eye symptoms between coloured soft contact lenses obtained from optometry and nonoptometry

sources after one month of wear.