Clinical Evaluation of the Causes of Contact Lens Related Dry Eye

A Clinical Evaluation of the Causes of Soft Contact Lens Related Dry Eye

The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the potential causes of contact lens-related dry eye.

Daily wear soft contact lens wearers reporting significant contact lens-related dryness symptoms were enrolled. Late day dryness with contact lenses, intensity grade 3-5, frequency "sometimes / frequently / constantly" as evaluated by a questionnaire was considered significant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Reports late-day dryness symptoms with contact lens wear on questionnaire.
• Wears FDA Group 2 hydrogel, FDA Group 4 hydrogel, or silicone hydrogel lenses.
• Consistently uses either polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) or polyquaternium-1 (PQT) contact lens care products (i.e. >6 months including 1 month immediately before enrollment).
• Other protocol-defined inclusion criteria may apply.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Wears daily disposable contact lenses.
• Has significant symptoms related to lens fit or lens deposits.
• Requires concurrent ocular medication (rewetting drops allowed).
• Has used Restasis® in the last 3 months.
• Wears punctal plugs fitted in the last 30 days.
• Has any current systemic or ocular abnormality, infection or disease.
• Uses any current systemic medication likely to affect tear film, e.g. antihistamines, betaadrenergic blockers, steroids.
• Has a history of refractive surgery.
• Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.