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Tear lysozyme levels in contact lens wearers
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Marmara, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Annals of Ophthalmology
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Contact lens wear, even in asymptomatic individuals, alters tear lysozyme levels. High water-content lenses significantly increase tear lysozyme compared to controls and low water-content lenses.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Contact lens wear is common, but its physiological effects on the ocular surface are not fully understood.
- Tear lysozyme is a key component of innate immunity in the eye.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate tear lysozyme levels in asymptomatic contact lens wearers.
- To compare these levels with healthy controls and analyze differences based on lens type.
Main Methods:
- Radial immunodiffusion technique was used to quantify tear lysozyme.
- Tear samples were collected from contact lens wearers and age/sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Tear lysozyme levels were significantly higher in contact lens wearers (1.05 g/L) than in controls (0.84 g/L).
- Rigid and high water-content lens wearers showed increased tear lysozyme compared to controls.
- High water-content lens users had significantly higher tear lysozyme than low water-content lens users.
Conclusions:
- Contact lens wear induces changes in tear lysozyme levels, even without apparent ocular inflammation.
- High water-content contact lenses appear to disturb tear lysozyme physiology more significantly.