Compatibility of phospholipid liposomal spray with silicone hydrogel contact lens wear

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effects of two weeks of regular phospholipid liposomal spray application on lipid layer grade, tear film stability, subjective comfort, visual acuity, and lipid deposition in silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers.

Methods: Thirty-one existing contact lens wearers were enrolled and fitted with two week planned replacement silicone hydrogel contact lenses (Acuvue^® Oasys^®) in a prospective, randomized, paired-eye, investigator-masked trial. A phospholipid liposomal spray (Tears Again^®) was applied to one eye (randomized) four times daily for two weeks. LogMAR high contrast visual acuity (VA), low contrast glare acuity (LCGA), non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), and lipid layer grade (LLG) were measured at baseline and day 14, in both treated and control eyes. Subjective comfort relative to baseline, and spectrofluorophotometric assessment of contact lens surface lipid deposition were also assessed on day 14.

Results: All measurements did not differ at baseline between treated and control eyes. Lipid layer thickness and tear film stability were increased on day 14 in treated eyes (all p<0.05), but not in control eyes (all p>0.05). A greater proportion of participants reported improved comfort in the treated eye relative to the control eye (p=0.002). There were no significant differences in visual acuity or in contact lens surface lipid deposition, between treated and control eyes, on day 14 (all p>0.05).

Conclusion: The phospholipid liposomal spray increased tear film stability, lipid layer thickness and subjective comfort in silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers, without adversely affecting visual acuity or contact lens surface lipid deposition.

Keywords: Contact lens; Lipid layer; Liposomal spray; Phospholipid; Silicone hydrogel; Tear film.