ABSTRACT

Background: Maintaining a healthy tear film is crucial for comfortable and successful contact lens wear. Contact lens-related dry eye is a common reason for discontinuation of lens use, highlighting the need to understand the impact of lenses on tear film dynamics and subjective OSDI scores. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of soft contact lens wear on tear film function and OSDI scores. Methods: Thirty young adults (mean age 22.70 ± 2.04 years, 80% female) were fitted with soft contact lenses. Tear volume, NIBUT (for both eyes), and OSDI scores (a measure of dry eye symptoms) were assessed at baseline , Week 3, and Week 6. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze changes over time, and correlations were explored between tear film parameters and OSDI scores.Results: A statistically significant decrease in tear volume was observed over the 6-week period (p < 0.000). However, the decrease in NIBUT were not statistically significant. Interestingly, OSDI scores showed a statistically significant improvement (decrease) over time (p = 0.002). No significant correlations were found between tear volume, NIBUT, and OSDI scores at any time point (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Soft contact lens wear significantly impacted tear volume, decreasing over time. While NIBUT remained relatively stable, subjective dry eye symptoms improved. These findings highlight the complex relationship between objective tear film measures and subjective OSDI scores in contact lens wearers. Further research with larger samples, control groups, and more comprehensive tear film assessments is needed to fully understand these interactions.

Keywords: Contact lens, dry eye, tear film, tear volume, NIBUT, OSDI, ocular surface.