Seventeen participants (mean age=26.6 SD ± 3.6 years; 7 females) were fitted with three different contact lenses’ base curves of the same silicone hydrogel custom lens type (Visell 50; Hecht Contactlinsen, Au, Germany) in a randomized order to investigate the relationship between the real contact lens imprint into the conjunctival tissue, observed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and conjunctival staining and contact lens wearing comfort. One lens was optimally fitted according to the manufacturer's recommendation, one fitted 0.4mm flatter and one fitted 0.4mm steeper. After four hours of lens wear, the contact lens edge in the area of the conjunctiva was imaged nasally and temporally using OCT (Optovue iVue SD-OCT). To correct the artifact due to optical distortion with OCT, the imprint of all worn lenses was measured on a glass plate afterwards. Conjunctival staining in the limbal region after four hours of lens wear was classified using the CCLRU Grading Scale. Comfort scoring was based on visual analog scales from 0 (very poor) to 100 (excellent).

The mean conjunctival imprint of all contact lens edges was 32.0±8.1μm before and 7.3±6.5 μm after distortion correction of the OCT images. The distortion corrected conjunctival imprint with the 0.4 mm steeper lens (11.5±6.2μm) was statistically significantly greater compared to the optimally fitted lens (6.5±5.9μm) (One-way ANOVA followed Tukey-test; p=0.017) and greater compared to the 0.4 mm flatter lens (3.9±5.3μm). There was no statistically significant difference between the optimally fitted lens and the 0.4mm flatter lens. The nasally measured imprint (11.4±9.0μm) was significantly greater than the temporally measured (3.3±7.6μm). There was no statistically significant correlation between the amount of conjunctival imprint and the graded conjunctival staining or the wearer's comfort.

Contact lens edges imaged by OCT exhibited displacement artifacts. The observed conjunctival imprints were a combination of real conjunctival compression and artifacts. A deeper imprint of the contact lens into the conjunctiva caused by a steeper base curve was not related to clinically significant staining or changes in comfort after four hours of lens wear. The observed differences between nasal and temporal imprint are likely to be caused by variations of conjunctival thickness and the shape of the underlying sclera.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has emerged as a worldwide health hazard of the modern lifestyle, representing a cluster of metabolic abnormalities and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, central retinal artery occlusion, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye syndrome have been linked with many of MetS components. Their relationship with MetS itself is, however, a recent topic of investigation. This review aimed to gather published evidence supporting associations between ocular findings and MetS, and to explore the related physiopathological processes that congregate in this syndrome and lead to these diseases.

After compiling interesting and compelling evidence, the authors suggested the need for further studies in this field to keep solidifying associations and unveiling the pathological processes that support them. The body of research ultimately targeted MetS patients as a population of individuals who are at increased risk of developing age-related eye diseases and vision loss.

Researchers retrospectively compared the frequency of contact lens (CL) complications in soft CL users of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and multipurpose solutions (MPS). This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review of CL records from each patient's three most recent eye examinations at academic and private practices. Patients must have used the same solution type for at least three years. Univariate analyses were conducted using T tests, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical measures.

There were 1,137 patients included, with 670 (59%) using MPS and 467 (41%) H2O2. In total, 706 (62%) experienced at least one complication; 409 used MPS and 297 used H2O2. There was no difference in the proportion of patients experiencing at least one complication between MPS (61%) and H2O2 (64%) (p=0.38). Multipurpose solutions users were more likely to report discomfort compared with H2O2 users (p=0.04). Presumed microbial keratitis was experienced by 16 MPS and nine H2O2 users (p=0.60).

Researchers reported no significant differences were found in the frequency of CL complications between MPS and H2O2. H2O2 users were less likely to report discomfort, and thus, switching to a H2O2 system may be an alternative in CL users with discomfort.