Ultrahigh-resolution measurement by optical coherence tomography of dynamic tear film changes on contact lenses

Purpose. To determine the dynamic pre- and postlens tear film (PLTF and PoLTF) thicknesses by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods. Ultrahigh-resolution OCT was used to image the tear film of 22 subjects before and after contact lens wear. A soft lens with 1 drop of artificial tears on its concave surface was inserted onto one randomly selected eye. OCT images were taken before insertion, immediately afterward, and every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. For the contralateral eye, the lens inserted was not prewetted on the concave surface. OCT images were taken before insertion, immediately afterward, and at 3 minutes. Then another drop was instilled, and images were taken immediately afterward and every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. Images were processed by custom software to yield tear film thickness. Results. The thickness of precorneal tear film (PCTF) was 1.9 +/- 0.9 mum. The PoLTF was visualized clearly in all cases immediately after lens insertion, with 1 drop on the lens concave surface. Through the first 6 minutes after insertion, the PoLTF was greater than the PCTF. The PLTF (n = 12) and PoLTF (n = 9) were visualized immediately after lens insertion. After 3 minutes, the PLTF in most subjects and PoLTF in all subjects were invisible. The thickness of the PLTF increased after the instillation of artificial tears, whereas the PoLTF did not at any checkpoint for 10 minutes. Conclusions. Ultrahigh-resolution OCT is a promising tool for measuring the tear film. The PoLTF did not increase after instillation of artificial tears.