by Joel Harrison
13. September 2010 14:32
A recently conducted study investigated the possible differences in the protein composition of tear film in the wearers of rigid gas permeable and soft contact lenses.
The study included 13 rigid lens users and 13 soft lens users; the control group consisted of 13 subjects who did not wear contact lenses. The researchers collected the subjects’ tears with the use of Schirmer strips and then froze them. Subsequently, the tears were analysed on ProteinChips SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
The tests showed significant differences in proteins found in tears coming from each group. Both contact lens groups exhibited a reduction in the content of the main tear protein, lysozyme. In addition, secretoglobin was found to be lower in the rigid lens group in comparison with the other groups.
The scientists concluded that wearing contact lenses changes the protein content in a complex way, which is important from the point of view studies aiming at finding biomarkers associated with various ocular surface conditions. This might, for instance, allow doctors to predict future problems connected with contact lens wear and initiate treatment before problems become severe.
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