Posters - MUCIN BALL POST LENS DEBRIS IN HIGH DK SILICONE HYDROGEL WEARERS.

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Posters

MUCIN BALL POST LENS DEBRIS IN HIGH DK SILICONE HYDROGEL WEARERS.

Kathy Dumbleton, MSc, MCOptom, Lyndon Jones, PhD, FCOptom, Donna Williams-Lyn, OD, PhD,
Desmond Fonn, DipOptom, MOptom, Centre for Contact Lens Research,
University of Waterloo, ON, Canada; Robin Chalmers, OD, CIBA Vision, Atlanta, GA.

Purpose:

Experience with high Dk silicone hydrogel lenses has revealed post lens debris which is characterized by the appearance of spherical, translucent particles referred to as 'mucin balls'. Although these entities are easily blinked away on lens removal and appear harmless, any association with discomfort, blurred vision or adverse reactions has not been investigated. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether any association between mucin ball observation and various ocular responses to contact lens wear exists.

Method:

92 subjects wore lotrafilcon A lenses on an extended wear basis for up to 30 nights and were followed for 6 months. Mucin balls were graded on a 0 to 4 scale (0.5 increments) at 3 visits. Subjective ratings and physiological response were recorded at all visits but for simplicity are reported for the 1 month visit only.

Results:

Mucin balls were observed in 70% of subjects at 1 or more visits, 30% of subjects exhibited mucin balls at all 3 visits and there was no change in observation frequency over time. There was a 71% concordance between eyes. Mucin balls were graded at > 1 in 17% of eyes, > 2 in 5% of eyes and > 3 in 1% of eyes. Mucin ball appearance was not associated with any decrease in overall comfort, and vision and overall satisfaction ratings were high (75% and 72.5%). Subjects with mucin balls reported less dryness on waking (p<0.02). Rewetting drops were 'never' used by 37.5% of subjects with mucin balls and 12.5% of subjects without. No association was found between biomicroscopic appearance, inflammatory responses and mucin ball observation.

Conclusions:

The presence of mucin balls does not appear to be detrimental to contact lens wear. Future investigation into the relationship between mucin ball observation and the use of rewetting drops is warranted. Supported by CIBA Vision, Atlanta, GA

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MUCIN BALL POST LENS DEBRIS IN HIGH DK SILICONE HYDROGEL WEARERS - 217KB

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