Posters

Assessing the dynamic postblink changes in tear film with ageing and contact lens wear

Poster Details

First Author: A. Moulakaki SPAIN

Co Author(s):    I. Siso-Fuertes   R. Montes-Mico   H. Radhakrishnan              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To study the changes in higher ocular aberrations (HOAs) during the postblink period in different age groups with and without multifocal contact lens wear.

Setting:

University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom Hospital University Clinic of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Methods:

Three different age groups (I: 20-29 years, II: 30-39 years, III: >40 years) comprised of 7 eyes each group were included in this study. Eyes with astigmatism less than 1D, corrected visual acuity 20/20 (feet) or better and normal non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) findings were enrolled. Total ocular aberrations were measured in the left eye sequentially for 12 seconds (sec) after a blink, using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometer (irx-3, Imagine Eyes). Dynamic tear meniscus measurements were obtained during 12 sec postblink period, employing optical coherence tomography (OCT). Measurements were performed initially without contact lenses and then with contact lenses.

Results:

Systematic changes in the HOAs significantly increased with time after a blink for the young subjects tested and included in group I (p< 0.002). In this group, a positive relationship was identified between time and spherical aberration (p<0.002) during the postblink period, with the curves to be coalesced 3 sec after a blink, due to tear film consolidation. The tear meniscus height and its area did not change significantly (p>0.79) over the postblink period. A large amount of inter-subject variability was also observed within any of the groups. While, contact lens wear significantly changed the aberration profile during the post blink period (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

The optical quality of the human eye varies considerably over time after a blink, due to changes in the tear film characteristics. Age and contact lens wear also influence on the dynamics postblink changes in aberrations.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE