Alterations tear film ferning in contact lens users

ABSTRACT

The tear film is a fluid that covers the cornea which establishes a high quality refractive surface for the corneal epithelium. Here we investigated the alterations in tear film feming due to contact lens wear and compared it with normal and artificial tear ferning. The tear samples were collected from 4 normal individuals and 4 contact lens users aged from 22 to 34 years. The tear samples were pulled out from the eye by a small duct and observed under light microscopes. Artificial tears 'Refresh Plus', from 'Allercan' were purchased from a shop. In artificial tears, the structure of ferning in the centre and periphery were similar to each other under light microscope where as in normal tears, peripheral ferning was mildly denser compared to the centre. In the contact lens user tear film, ferning was faint under the light microscope. The ferning of tear film of was in the form of circle in the centre and a string of circles at periphery. There was minor difference between normal and artificial tear ferning. The contact lens user tear ferning was very thin compared to normal and artificial tear ferning. This could be due to less lipid content in the tears of contact lens user. The contact lens use affects the tear ferning. This could be due to loss of lipid content in the tears especially in the central region