Abstract

GABELA MERINO, MI; GONZALEZ GARCIA, MJ; MAYO ISCAR, A  and  CALONGE CANO, M. Dry eye signs and symptoms in hydrogel contact lens wearers: relation to smoking habit. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol [online]. 2003, vol.78, n.10, pp.543-547. ISSN 0365-6691.

Purpose: To determine whether there may be a relationship between the smoking habit ant the presence of dry eye signs and symptoms in a population of hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers. Material and Methods: 60 adults HCL wearers were chosen randomly. The sample was divided into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers of less than 15 cigarettes per day and smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day. The ocular symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire (modified Mc Monnies test). Evaluation of tear meniscus, Schirmer test with anesthesia, non invasive break-up time (NIBUT), slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining were performed to assess ocular signs of dry eye. Results: No significant differences were found among the three study groups. Conclusion: Smoking does not seem to affect the presence of signs and symptoms of ocular dryness in a population of HCL wearers and does not predispose to contact lens intolerance.

Keywords : Smoking; ocular surface; hydrogel contact lenses; Dry Eye Syndrome.