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Peripheral scleral lens modifications and tear exchange.
Asif Iqbal1, Damien Fisher1, David Alonso-Caneiro2
1Contact Lens and Visual Optics Laboratory, Optometry and Vision Science, Centre for Vision and Eye Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Summary
Scleral lens landing zone modifications significantly impact tear exchange. Channel designs enhance tear ingress, particularly in the periphery, suggesting potential for improved scleral lens customization.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Corneal Physiology
Background:
- Scleral lenses are used to manage various ocular surface diseases.
- Effective tear exchange under scleral lenses is crucial for ocular health.
- Landing zone design may influence tear dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of different scleral lens landing zone modifications on tear exchange.
- To compare tear dynamics between toric, notched, and channeled landing zones.
- To assess tear exchange over a 100-minute wear period.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy adults wore scleral lenses with three landing zone designs (toric, notch, channel) in a randomized order.
- Sodium fluorescein was used to visualize and quantify tear volume and exchange.
- Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) captured fluorescent intensity over 100 minutes.
Main Results:
- Lens design, time, and corneal location significantly affected fluorescent intensity (p < 0.001).
- The channel design showed higher overall fluorescent intensity compared to toric and notch designs (p < 0.01).
- Channel designs demonstrated a greater increase in tear exchange after 90 minutes (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Landing zone modifications alter tear dynamics during scleral lens wear.
- Channel designs consistently enhance tear exchange, especially peripherally.
- These findings support channel modifications for improving scleral lens tear exchange and customization.
