The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tear film dynamics between individuals with low and high Contact Lens Dry Eye Disease Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8) scores when wearing Lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel water gradient contact lenses. In this study, we implemented a longitudinal, single-location, self-comparison investigation. Variables measured included conjunctival redness, lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, first and mean non-invasive break-up time, CLDEQ-8, and standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED). In the second phase, participants were re-evaluated after 30 days of wearing the contact lenses to assess the tear film wearing the lenses. In a longitudinal comparison by group, we found that lipid layer thickness decreased 1.52 ± 1.38 (p < 0.01) and 0.70 ± 1.30 (p = 0.01) Guillon patterns degrees in the low and high CLDEQ-8 group, respectively. MNIBUT increased in 11.93 ± 17.93 (p < 0.01) and 7.06 ± 12.07 (p < 0.01) seconds. Finally, LOT increased in 22.19 ± 27.57 (p < 0.01) and 16.87 ± 25.09 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of Lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel water gradient contact lenses in improving tear film stability and reducing subjective dry eye symptoms in individuals with low and high CLDEQ-8 scores. However, it also led to an increase in conjunctival redness and a decrease in tear meniscus height.
Keywords: CLDEQ-8; contact lens; contact lens dry eye questionnaire; lipid pattern; noninvasive break-up time; prelens tear film; tear film dynamics.