Effect of Contact Lens Wear on Immune Cell Density and Morphology of the Ocular Surface

Effect of Contact Lens Wear on Immune Cell Density and Morphology of the Ocular Surface: A Laser In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study

The purpose of this study is to utilize in-vivo confocal microscopy to describe differences in corneal epithelial immune status across three lens care regimens in new contact lens wearers.

An estimated 40 million people in the United States wear contact lenses, with approximately 38 million soft lens wearers and 2 million rigid gas permeable lens wearers. The ocular surface has been shown to respond to the introduction of foreign materials with upregulation of proinflammatory mediators, leading to an increase in inflammation. The corneal can show a foreign body immune response to contact lenses. The purpose of this study is to utilize in-vivo confocal microscopy to describe differences in corneal epithelial immune status across the three lens care regimens in new contact lens wearers.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects must be 18 years of age and may be of any race and either gender.
2. Subjects must not have ever worn contact lenses.
3. Subjects must have normal, healthy eyes.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects must not use additional lens cleaners.
2. subjects must not have any ocular or systemic disease.
3. Subjects must not have history of ocular surgery/trauma within the last 6 months.