Review of clinical outcomes of a cationic emulsion tear substitute in patients with dry eye disease.

First-line options for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) rely on artificial tears (ATs), among which cationic emulsion (CE)-based ATs have been developed in order to mimic the healthy tear film for an improved restoration of the ocular surface homeostasis. In this review, we describe the outcomes reported in several studies, assessing the mode of action, ocular tolerance and clinical performance of a CE-based AT. Pilot studies have revealed that CE-based ATs can increase the volume and stability of the tear film while limiting its evaporation rate. Larger studies have demonstrated that CE-based ATs play a significant role in the improvement of both objective and subjective DED parameters, including superior efficacy on DED symptoms compared to several other available AT formulation types. Concomitantly, CE-based ATs have been shown to help patients to prevent or recover from corneal defects associated with refractive surgery. These positive outcomes on ocular surface epithelia are likely due to the combination of unique rheological behaviour and intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties. Based on all clinical findings, CE-based ATs represent a valuable treatment option for patients with various etiologies of DED including evaporative forms and would deserve evaluation of benefits in other surgical intervention types triggering DED.

Multifocal contact lens success predictability.

PURPOSE: The current multi-study analysis combined data from three studies to quantify the relationship between the initial reaction to soft multifocal contact lens (MFCL) design types at dispensing and evaluate the predictability of overall vision satisfaction (OVS) and intention to purchase (ITP) after 1 week of wear. METHOD: Three prospective studies tested MFCLs over 1-week of wear following the same protocol, using a range of potentially predictive ratings at dispensing, and both OVS and ITP at 1-week as an indicator acceptance level. In each study, two of MyDay® multifocal, clariti® 1 day multifocal, Biofinity® multifocal (worn as a daily disposable lens) or 1 DAY ACUVUE® MOIST MULTIFOCAL were dispensed for 1-week of daily wear. OVS was recorded on a 100-point VAS and ITP on a 5-point LIKERT scale. Fourteen possible predictors were entered in the statistical model, and predictability was assessed using Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) statistical test. RESULTS: A total of 210 participants (152 female & 58 male; 53.9 ± 6.5 years, range 41-71 years), representing 420 MFCL fits, equally distributed between emergent n = 65, established n = 70 and advanced n = 75 presbyopes, completed the studies. OVS on dispensing was the predictor of both OVS (p < 0.001) and ITP (p < 0.001) at 1-week. For OVS predictability, 70.8 % with OVS at dispensing > 91 points reported good OVS at 1-week and 73.4 % with OVS on dispensing ≤ 80 points reported poor OVS at 1-week. For ITP predictability, 74.6 % with OVS at dispensing > 94 points reported a positive ITP at 1-week and 65.9 % with OVS on dispensing ≤ 63 points reported negative ITP at 1-week. CONCLUSION: Overall vision satisfaction at the time of dispensing MFCLs is a powerful indicator of both OVS and ITP after 1-week of wear. Initial patient subjective assessments provide a clinically useful indicator of the likeliness of success.

Symptom Relief Following a Single Dose of Propylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Guar Nanoemulsion in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate symptom relief in patients with dry eye disease (DED) following a single drop of propylene glycol-hydroxypropyl guar (PG-HPG) nanoemulsion (Systane® Complete) lubricant eye drops. METHODS: This was a Phase IV, multicenter, open-label, interventional study in adult patients with DED of aqueous-deficient, evaporative, and mixed subtypes. Patients instilled one drop of PG-HPG in each eye at Day 1. Endpoints included change from baseline in dry eye symptom and soothing sensation scores on Day 1 at 0, 4, and 8 hours post-dose. Symptom scores were assessed on a 0-10 scale (0=no symptoms; 10=worst imaginable symptom). Tolerability of the drop was assessed based on assessment score on Day 1 following instillation for overall cohort and by DED subtype. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients received treatment (mean age: 56.6 years; female: 75.4%). Median changes from baseline at Day 1 in dry eye symptom scores were -1.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]:-3.0,-1.0), -2.0 (95% CI:-3.0,-2.0), and -2.0 (95% CI:-2.0,-1.0) at 0, 4, and 8 hours respectively. Subgroup analysis showed a median change from baseline in dry eye symptom score of -2 (95% CI:-3.0,-1.0) for aqueous-deficient and evaporative subtypes and -1 (95% CI:-3.0,-1.0) for mixed subtype at 8 hours. Median soothing sensation scores were 3 at 0 and 4 hours and 3.5 at 8 hours, with a range of 0-10. Median (range) tolerability assessment scores were 0 (0-8) for burning sensation, stinging sensation, blurring, and 0 (0-10) for foreign body sensation. Tolerability assessment scores by DED subtype confirmed that the majority of patients reported scores in the range of 0-5 for all components and in all subgroups analyzed. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that PG-HPG nanoemulsion provided instant/immediate and sustained symptom relief for 8 hours post-single application and was well tolerated in patients with DED, demonstrated by their responses on each of the assessment scales.

Efficacy and Safety of Phospholipid Nanoemulsion-Based Ocular Lubricant for the Management of Various Subtypes of Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of propylene glycol/hydroxypropyl-guar (PG-HPG)-based nanoemulsion (Systane® Complete) lubricant eye drops in participants with dry eye disease (DED). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: In this phase IV, open-label, single-arm, interventional, multicenter study, adult participants with DED - subtyped into aqueous deficient, evaporative, and mixed dry eye - were instructed to instill one drop of PG-HPG in each eye twice a day for 28 days. Endpoints included change from baseline in tear film break-up time (TFBUT) (primary) and ocular discomfort visual analog scale (VAS) score at Day 14 and TFBUT at Day 28 (secondary). Safety was assessed throughout the study. Data were analyzed for overall patient cohort and by DED subtypes. RESULTS: A total of 134 participants received treatment (mean age: 56.6 years; female: 75.4%). At Day 14, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) TFBUT increased from 2.6 (1.00) seconds at baseline to 4.2 (2.92) seconds (mean change: 1.5 [2.80] seconds); median change was 0.8 seconds (95% CI: 0.52, 1.19) for the overall cohort; the change was maintained at Day 28 (mean change: 1.4 (2.80) seconds, median change: 0.8 seconds (95% CI: 0.49, 1.17). Subgroup analysis showed a mean change (SD) from baseline in TFBUT of 1.1 (2.41) seconds for aqueous deficient, 2.4 (3.17) seconds for evaporative, and 1.2 (2.63) seconds for mixed dry eye at Day 14, respectively. The ocular discomfort VAS score improved (decreased) from baseline at Day 14 (mean [SD] change: -17.3 [24.80]) for the overall cohort, -22.0 [21.73] for aqueous deficient, -17.6 [24.17] for evaporative and -13.1 [27.49] for mixed dry eye subgroups). Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 9 (6.7%) participants. No serious AEs were reported during the study. CONCLUSION: Our study findings demonstrated that PG-HPG-based nanoemulsion lubricant eye drops were effective and well tolerated in participants with DED and all of its subtypes.

Quantification of contact lens wettability after prolonged visual device use under low humidity conditions.

PURPOSE: Discomfort of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses (CL) is associated with longer wearing time, demanding visual tasks, and dry environments. This study investigated the impact of challenging environmental conditions on thewettability of four daily disposable SiHy CL. METHODS: Habitual wearers of delefilcon A (n=32) and somofilcon A (n=32) were tested with their habitual lenses and with stenfilcon A and narafilcon A lenses. Digital videos were captured using non-invasive Tearscope illumination after 3 hrs of conventional wear and 3 hrs of computer use at 20% relative humidity (RH). Masked investigators analysed non-invasive break up time (NIBUT), minimum protected area (MPA) ofthe lens surface by the tear film, and dehydration speed (DS) over the interblink period after exposure to 20% RH. RESULTS: For habitual delefilcon A wearers, mean NIBUT was longer with delefilcon A (9.2 sec) than stenfilcon A (6.3 sec, p = 0.052) and narafilcon A (5.1 sec, p = 0.006); mean MPA was significantly higher with delefilcon A (95.4%)than stenfilcon A (84.4%, p = 0.002) and narafilcon A (82.9%, p = 0.006); mean DS was lower with delefilcon A (0.28 mm2/sec) than stenfilcon A (0.81 mm2/sec, p = 0.002) and narafilcon A (0.60 mm2/sec, p = 0.056). For habitual somofilcon A wearers, mean MPA was lower for narafilcon A (76.2%) than for somofilcon A (89.0%, p < 0.001) but not stenfilcon A (88.4%, p = 0.748) and mean DS was higher for narafilcon A (0.96 mm2/sec) than somofilcon A (0.60mm2/sec, p = 0.029) but not stenfilcon A (0.51 mm2/sec, p = 0.701). CONCLUSIONS: Delefilcon A CL performed betterthan stenfilcon A and narafilcon A after 6 hrs of wear including 3 hrs intensive visual tasks under challenging environmental conditions. Delefilcon A CL may be preferable for CL wearers with intensive computers and/or digital devices usage.

Pre-contact lens and pre-corneal tear film kinetics.

PURPOSE: Contact lenses (CL) insulate the corneal surface from the environment. It is possible that they influence the corneal sensory mechanism that contribute to spontaneous blinking. The study objective was to quantify the pre-CL and pre-corneal tear film kinetics (TFK) over blink period. METHODS: The study population was 202 soft CL wearers, 133 non-lens wearers. TFK were quantified via post-hoc masked analysis of HD Tearscope videos. The parameters were: Non-Invasive Break Up Time (NIBUT), Exposed Area % at initial break (EA 1st Break) and at blink (EA Blink), Interblink period (IB), Protective Index (PI) and exposure speed of surface dehydration (ES mm2/s). The TFK of CL wearers were compared to non-lens wearers. The hypothesis was that pre-CL TFK was inferior to pre-corneal, specifically greater tear film anomalies presence at blink. RESULTS: The pre-corneal NIBUT was longer than pre-CL NIBUT (9.1 vs. 5.1s, p < 0.001). The EA 1st Break was smaller for pre-corneal than pre-CL (0.003 vs. 0.43%, p < 0.001). The mean IB time was similar for pre-CL and pre-corneal (9.4 vs. 9.8s, p = 0.213). The EA Blink % was smaller for pre-corneal than pre-CL (0.03 vs. 6.66%, p < 0.001). The ES was faster for pre-CL than pre-corneal (0.339 vs. 0.004, p < 0.001). The PI was greater for pre-corneal than pre-CL (99.9 vs. 97.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-CL TFK were significantly inferior than pre-corneal, confirmed the hypothesis. The NIBUT was shorter. Once the initial break occurred, ES was faster, and EA was much greater for pre-CL than pre-corneal. The differences identified may be an aetiological component of CL discomfort and the relationship between TFK and discomfort in contact lens wearers should be investigated.

Efficacy and safety of dual-polymer hydroxypropyl guar- and hyaluronic acid-containing lubricant eyedrops for the management of dry-eye disease: a randomized double-masked clinical study.

BACKGROUND: An artificial-tear formulation containing the dual polymers hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) is approved for the treatment of dry-eye disease (DED). The present study compared the efficacy and safety of the HPG-HA dual-polymer formulation vs a sodium hyaluronate (SH)-containing artificial-tear formulation in patients with DED. METHODS: In a prospective, 6-week, multicenter, double-masked, parallel-group study, patients with DED aged ≥18 years and total ocular surface staining (TOSS) score ≥4 and ≤9 were randomized (1:1) to receive either HPG-HA or SH four times a day for 42 days. Changes from baseline in TOSS (primary end point), impact of dry eye on everyday life (IDEEL) treatment-satisfaction scores (effectiveness and inconvenience), and tear-film breakup time (TFBUT) at day 42 were assessed using a fixed-sequence testing strategy. Noninferiority was assessed on the primary end point based on the upper limit of two-sided 95% CIs for mean treatment difference (HPG-HA or SH) <2 units. RESULTS: In total, 99 patients were randomized (HPG-HA, n= 50; SH, n= 49). At day 42, the least square (LS) mean ± SE change from baseline in TOSS was -1.16±0.24 and -0.92±0.23 in the HPG-HA and SH groups, respectively, and the treatment difference was -0.24±0.33 (95% CI -0.90 to 0.42). Noninfe-riority was demonstrated as the upper limit of the 95% CI was <2 units. LS mean change from baseline at day 42 for HPG-HA vs SH was -3.18 (P=0.4817) in IDEEL treatment-effectiveness scores, -12.56 (P=0.0001) in treatment-inconvenience scores, and 0.30 seconds (P=0.5789) in TFBUT. CONCLUSION: The HPG-HA dual-polymer formulation was noninferior to the SH lubricant eye-drops for improvement in ocular surface staining in DED. HPG-HA did not show improvement over SH in IDEEL treatment-satisfaction scores. No new safety findings were reported.

The influence of lens care systems on eyelid tissue changes during silicone hydrogel contact lens wear.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-based lens care solution and a polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) multi-purpose solution on the eyelids when used with silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses. METHODS: A total of 74 symptomatic wearers of ACUVUE® OASYS® (senofilcon A; n = 39) or PureVision® (balafilcon A; n = 35) contact lenses were randomised 1:1 to either CLEAR CARE® Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution or renu® fresh™ multi-purpose solution (n = 37 each). Assessments of hyperaemia, papillae and lid margin staining of eyelid tissue were evaluated subjectively by a masked investigator at enrolment (with the subjects' habitual SiHy contact lenses and PHMB-preserved care systems), at dispensing visit (when no lenses were worn) and at 3-months' follow-up. RESULTS: There were no differences in eyelid assessments between the two lens care groups at dispensing visit (p = 0.086 to 0.947). After 3 months, the papillae response was significantly less marked with H2O2-based solution than with PHMB-based solution (p = 0.017). Lid hyperaemia (p < 0.001) and papillae (p = 0.002) were also significantly reduced. Although lid hyperaemia was also reduced with PHMB-based solution (p < 0.001), there was no concurrent decrease in papillae response (p = 0.051). No improvements were found in eyelid margin staining either over time or between the two lens care groups. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic contact lens wearers, a H2O2-based lens care solution used with senofilcon A and balafilcon A lenses was better tolerated by eyelid tissues than was a PHMB-based solution and led to a decrease in clinical markers of eyelid inflammation.

Objective Assessment of Ocular Surface Response to Contact Lens Wear in Presbyopic Contact Lens Wearers of Asian Descent.

INTRODUCTION: Contact lens wearers of Asian descent may be predisposed to experience microtrauma of the ocular surface as a result a thinner post-lens tear film and higher eyelid tension, and these effects would be anticipated to be most marked in an older population. The objective of this study was to quantify the mechanical effects of the study contact lenses on the ocular surface in a population of presbyopic contact lens wearers of Asian descent. METHODS: Twenty established presbyopic contact lens wearers (hydrogel n=5, none habitual wearers of etafilcon A lenses; silicone hydrogel n=15) of Asian descent were refitted with etafilcon A multifocal daily disposable contact lenses (1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST MULTIFOCAL) for a period of 1 month of daily lens wear. The habitual modalities of wear were 45% daily disposable and 55% planned replacement. Digital photographs of the upper lid margins, nasal and temporal conjunctiva, and superior cornea were taken after 6 hr of wear of the participants' habitual contact lenses, after 1 day without contact lens wear, and after 6 hr of wear of the study contact lenses at the end of the 1-month period. The photographs were masked according to study visit and the staining extent measured using proprietary software. RESULTS: Lid margin staining was significantly lower with the study contact lenses (2.0±1.0 mm) than with the participants' own contact lenses (3.2±3.0 mm) after 6 hr of wear, representing a mean staining decrease of 38% (P=0.010). Lid margin staining after 6 hr of wear of the study contact lenses was not different from that measured after 1 day without contact lenses (P=0.507). Limbal staining was also significantly less with the study contact lenses than with the participants' own contact lenses after 6 hr of wear (P=0.009). There was minimal upper corneal staining, and the degree was similar with the study and habitual lenses. CONCLUSIONS: Etafilcon A material, worn under a daily disposable modality, was shown to reduce upper lid margin and limbal staining in presbyopic contact lens wearers of Asian descent compared with the wearers' own contact lenses. Because of the high preponderance of dry eye amongst presbyopes, material selection is of importance and consideration should be given to the lens-ocular surface interaction.

Clinical evaluation of an oil-based lubricant eyedrop in dry eye patients with lipid deficiency.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of a lipid-based lubricant eyedrop formulation (hydroxypropyl guar/propylene glycol/phospholipid [HPG/PG/PL]) with preservative-free saline for the treatment of dry eye. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, parallel-group phase 4 clinical study. Patients ≥18 years diagnosed with dry eye received 1 drop of saline 4 times daily (QID) for 15 days during a run-in phase, followed by randomization. Patients then instilled HPG/PG/PL or saline QID through day 35 and as needed through day 90. Change in tear film break-up time (TFBUT), change in total ocular surface staining (TOSS) score, and Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life (IDEEL) were evaluated on day 35. RESULTS: Increase in TFBUT from baseline to day 35 was assessed during the interim and final analyses. Mean ± SE difference between the HPG/PG/PL (n = 110) and saline groups (n = 100) was 1.3 ± 0.4 seconds (interim analysis; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-2.1 seconds; p = 0.0012) and 1.0 ± 0.3 seconds (final analysis; 95% CI 0.4-1.6 seconds; p = 0.0011), demonstrating the superiority of HPG/PG/PL. The mean ± SE difference between the HPG/PG/PL and saline groups for IDEEL treatment effectiveness scores was 16.0 ± 3.6 (95% CI 8.9-23.1; p<0.0001). No significant differences in TOSS scores or IDEEL inconvenience scores were observed between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-five days of QID HPG/PG/PL treatment resulted in a statistically significant improvement in TFBUT and IDEEL treatment effectiveness scores compared with saline but not in TOSS or IDEEL treatment inconvenience scores. HPG/PG/PL was well-tolerated by patients.

Diurnal Variation in Comfort in Contact Lens and Non-contact Lens Wearers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the diurnal variation in symptoms associated with ocular discomfort in contact lens (CL) wearers and non-CL wearers. METHODS: The study population comprised 604 individuals attending pre-screening visits at the OTG-i research clinic; 60% were current soft CL wearers (hydrogel and silicone hydrogel) and 40% were non-CL wearers. Symptomatology status was determined by the OSDI questionnaire (58% asymptomatic, 42% symptomatic). Participants were asked to grade their comfort, vision, and other symptoms during the day and in the evening (before lens removal for CL wearers) on 0 to 100 visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Diurnal decrease in comfort was significantly greater for CL wearers (-16.0 vs. -6.3, p < 0.001) and symptomatic participants (p = 0.015). Diurnal decrease in subjective vision was also significantly greater for CL wearers (-10.4 vs. -6.9, p = 0.005) and symptomatic participants (p = 0.001), and the interaction between these factors was also significant (p = 0.019). Dryness, grittiness, and irritation increased significantly more for CL wearers (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, and p = 0.004, respectively) and grittiness, irritation, and stinging for symptomatic participants (p = 0.016, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). For the CL wearers, there was a significant interaction between dryness and age (p = 0.026) with the diurnal increase in dryness being greater in those under 40 (+15.6 vs. +10.0). CONCLUSIONS: The diurnal decrease in comfort and subjective vision, and the diurnal increase in dryness, grittiness, and irritation, were significantly more marked for CL wearers than non-CL wearers. Diurnal changes in comfort, grittiness, stinging, irritation, and vision were influenced by the subject's overall symptomatology as assessed by the OSDI questionnaire. For dryness symptoms, the diurnal decrease was most marked in young CL wearers. For the symptoms of stinging and vision, the diurnal changes were most pronounced in the symptomatic groups.

The Effects of Age, Refractive Status, and Luminance on Pupil Size.

PURPOSE: Pupil size is critical for optimal performance of presbyopic contact lenses. Although the effect of luminance is well known, little information is available regarding other contributing factors such as aging and refractive status. METHODS: The cohort population comprised 304 patients (127 male, 177 female) aged 18 to 78 years. Pupils were photographed at three controlled luminance levels 250, 50, and 2.5 cd/m using an infra-red macro video camera. Measurements of pupil diameter were conducted after transforming pixel values to linear values in millimeters. RESULTS: Luminance was the most influential factor with pupil diameter increasing with decreased luminance (p < 0.001, all comparisons). Age was also found to be a significant factor with a smaller diameter in the older groups, but overall the difference was only significant between the pre-presbyopes and the established presbyopes (p = 0.017). Pupil diameter decreased significantly with increasing age, the effect being most marked at low luminance (<0.001). The smallest pupil diameters were measured for hyperopes and the largest for myopes and although refractive error was not a significant factor alone, there was a significant interaction between luminance and refractive error with the greatest differences in pupil diameter between myopes and emmetropes at low luminance (p < 0.001). Pupil diameter changes modeled by multilinear regression (p < 0.001) identified age, luminance, best sphere refraction, and refractive error as significant factors accounting for just over 70% of the average variation in pupil diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Both age and refractive status were found to affect pupil size with larger pupils measured for younger patients and myopes. Designs for multifocal contact lens corrections should take both age and refractive status into consideration; a faster progression from distance to near corrections across the optical zone of the lens is expected to be required for established presbyopes and hyperopes than it is for early presbyopes, myopes, and emmetropes.

Association Between Contact Lens Discomfort and Pre-lens Tear Film Kinetics.

PURPOSE: The relationship between contact lens wettability and comfort has been extensively evaluated; however, a direct correlation between the characteristics of the pre-lens tear film and the symptoms associated with contact lens discomfort has yet to be established. In addition, there is relatively limited knowledge relating to the entire tear film kinetics during the inter-blink period in contact lens wearers. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the characteristics of the pre-lens tear film kinetics that may be associated with the symptoms of contact lens discomfort. METHODS: The study population comprised 202 soft (hydrogel and silicone hydrogel) contact lens wearers attending pre-screening visits at the OTG-i research clinic. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and the tear film was quantified via post hoc, masked analysis of high definition digital Tearscope videos recorded at the visit. The tear film kinetics of the least symptomatic wearers (OSDI lowest quintile scores, n = 45) were compared to the tear film kinetics of the most symptomatic wearers (OSDI highest quintile scores, n = 43). The hypothesis tested was that the tear film kinetics of asymptomatic wearers were better than tear film kinetics of symptomatic wearers. RESULTS: The distribution of lens types worn was as follows: Daily Disposable 46.5%, 1-Month Replacement 39.6%, and 2-Week Replacement 13.6%. 48.2% of lenses were silicone hydrogel and 51.8% hydrogel. Symptomatic wearers had a shorter break-up time (4.7 s vs. 6.0 s; p = 0.003), lesser surface coverage by the tear film during the interblink period (95.1% vs. 98.5%; p < 0.001) and greater surface exposure at the time of the blink (9.4% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that the tear film kinetics of asymptomatic and symptomatic contact lens wearers were different, the findings supporting the hypothesis of poorer tear film kinetics for symptomatic than asymptomatic wearers in a general contact lens wearing population.

Ocular Dominance and Handedness in Golf Putting.

PURPOSE: In golf, the impact of eye-hand dominance on putting performance has long been debated. Eye-hand dominance is thought to impact how golfers judge the alignment of the ball with the target and the club with the ball, as well as how golfers visualize the line of the putt when making decisions about the force needed to hit the ball. Previous studies have all measured ocular dominance in primary gaze only, despite golfers spending a significant amount of their time in a putting stance (bent at the hips, head tilted down). Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess ocular dominance in both primary gaze (aligning the ball with the target) and putting gaze (addressing the ball and aligning the club). METHODS: This study investigated measuring pointing ocular dominance in both primary and putting gaze positions on 31 golfers (14 amateur, 7 club professionals, and 10 top professionals). All players were right-handed golfers, although one reported having no hand dominance and one reported being strongly left hand dominant. RESULTS: The results showed that (1) primary and putting gaze ocular dominances are not equal, nor are they predictive of each other; (2) the magnitude of putting ocular dominance is significantly less than the magnitude of primary gaze ocular dominance; (3) ocular dominance is not correlated with handedness in either primary or putting gaze; and (4) eye-hand dominance is not associated with increased putting skill, although ocular dominance may be associated with increased putting success. CONCLUSIONS: It is important that coaches assess golfers' ocular dominance in both primary and putting gaze positions to ensure they have the most accurate information upon which to base their vision strategy decisions.

Effect of lens care system on silicone hydrogel contact lens wettability.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare the effect of the repeated usage of two care systems (one hydrogen peroxide cleaning and disinfecting system and one polyaminopropyl biguanide (PHMB) containing multi-purpose system) with silicone hydrogel contact lenses worn for three months on a daily wear modality. A specific aspect of interest was of the effect of the care systems on contact lens wettability. METHODS: Seventy-four symptomatic contact lens wearers, habitually wearing either ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) (n=37) or PureVision™ (n=37), constituted the study population. The study was a two-arm prospective, investigator-masked, bilateral study of three-month duration to evaluate the effects of CLEAR CARE(®) compared with renu(®) fresh™. The subjects were randomized to one of the two lens care systems. Contact lens wettability and surface cleanliness were assessed with the Tearscope and reported in terms of pre-lens non-invasive break-up time (PL-NIBUT) and visible deposits. Baseline assessments at enrollment were with the subjects' own contact lenses worn for at least 6h when using their habitual PHMB-preserved care system and at the dispensing visit with new contact lenses. At the follow-up visits, the contact lenses were worn for at least 6h, and were at least 11 days old for ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) and 25 days old for PureVision™. RESULTS: The results obtained showed that: (i) with CLEAR CARE(®), a significant improvement in contact lens wettability was recorded compared with the habitual care system at the three-month follow-up visit (mean median PL-NIBUT 5.8 vs. 4.0 s, p<0.001). Further, with this same lens care system a significant increase in wettability was observed at the three-month follow-up visit compared with dispensing (mean median PL-NIBUT 5.8 vs. 4.5s, p=0.022). (ii) Whereas no difference in contact lens wettability was observed at dispensing between the two lens care groups (mean PL-NIBUT: 4.5 vs. 4.2s, p=0.518), a significantly more stable pre-lens tear film was observed with CLEAR CARE(®) than with renu(®) fresh™ at both the two-month (mean PL-NIBUT: 4.6 vs. 3.7s, p=0.005) and three-month (mean PL-NIBUT: 5.8 vs. 4.2 s, p=0.028) visits. iii. With renu(®) fresh™, no significant differences were observed at the end of three months of use compared with either the habitual care system or the new contact lens solution (mean PL-NIBUT: 3M 4.2 vs. Disp 4.2 s (p=0.420) vs. enrolment habitual care solution 5.1s (p=0.734)). iv. With CLEAR CARE(®) significant increases in the incidence of surfaces free of both mucus (3 month 95%. vs. habitual solution 82% enrolment; p=0.005) and lipid (3 month 87% vs. habitual solution 72% enrolment; p=0.009) were observed. CONCLUSION: Significantly better contact lens wettability and surface cleanliness were achieved for ACUVUE(®) OASYS(®) and PureVision™ with CLEAR CARE(®) than with renu(®) fresh™ at the end of three months of use.

Contact lens lipid spoliation of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to measure contact lens lipid spoliation of silicone hydrogel PureVision (balafilcon A) and hydrogel Acuvue 2 (etafilcon A) contact lenses worn for 10 hours single use (DD) and 7 days of extended wear (EW). METHODS: Two similar study populations (DD, n = 55; EW, n = 53), were enrolled at four study sites. In each population, a bilateral, randomized, crossover (lens material), subject-masked experimental design was followed. Worn contact lenses were analyzed for lipid uptake using high-performance liquid chromatography by two laboratories: Alcon Laboratories (right lens total uptake) and OTG Research & Consultancy (left lens total uptake and individual lipid classes). RESULTS: Lipid uptake was different for the two materials: total lipid (p < 0.007), cholesterol esters (p < 0.001), cholesterol (p < 0.001 EW only), and triglycerides/phospholipids (p < 0.001) were higher for balafilcon A, whereas fatty acid (p < 0.0025 EW only) was higher for etafilcon A. The ratio of the extracted lipids was also different: higher percentages of triglycerides/phospholipids (p < 0.001) and cholesterol (p < 0.001 EW only) for balafilcon A and higher percentages of fatty acids/di- and monoglycerides (p < 0.014) for etafilcon A. CONCLUSIONS: Total lipid uptake was highly material dependent. Both laboratories measured a greater uptake of lipids by the silicone hydrogel than the hydrogel material, a difference that was evident after only 10 hours of DD. Total lipid uptake was greater after 7 days of EW compared with 10 hours of DD. Of interest for contact lens spoliation and its avoidance was the differential lipid uptake profile, indicating material selectivity. Whereas greater differentiation between materials was possible after 7 days of EW for each material, the lipid uptake profile was similar for DD and EW, indicating a greater material effect than a wear modality effect.

Are silicone hydrogel contact lenses more comfortable than hydrogel contact lenses?

The current literature review was intended to investigate whether the use of silicone hydrogel contact lenses has resulted in improved comfort compared with that of hydrogel contact lenses when both are used for daily wear. The conclusion reached is that silicone hydrogel contact lenses, which were initially developed to eliminate hypoxia during overnight wear, have not significantly improved comfort compared with the comfort achieved with hydrogel contact lenses when worn on a daily wear basis, even though a body of the published literature would suggest to the contrary. A careful review and consideration of the literature demonstrates that the relative comfort achieved with the two types of contact lenses is in fact highly dependent on the study methodology: Although refitting studies have concluded enhanced comfort with silicone hydrogels, the more robust study designs involving concurrent controls and masking were not able to show a difference, and some even concluded an inferior performance. Evidence-based review has however clearly demonstrated that comfort cannot be considered in isolation but is contact lens specific and depends on the material surface and bulk properties, lens design characteristics, and modality of use of the contact lens, and may also be significantly influenced by the replacement frequency and interaction with any lens care system that may be used.