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Ocular Surface and Contact Lens
Research Guide
What is Ocular Surface and Contact Lens?
Ocular Surface and Contact Lens is a research cluster examining the diagnosis, classification, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of dry eye disease, including the effects of contact lens wear on the ocular surface, tear film, meibomian gland dysfunction, corneal nerves, and inflammatory cytokines.
This field encompasses 69,859 papers on dry eye disease topics such as ocular surface health, tear film stability, and contact lens impacts. Key works include validation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) as a reliable measure of dry eye severity by Schiffman et al. (2000). Reports from the TFOS DEWS II subcommittee by Craig et al. (2017) provide updated definitions, epidemiology by Stapleton et al. (2017), and diagnostic methods by Wolffsohn et al. (2017).
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
This sub-topic investigates the anatomy, dysfunction mechanisms, and imaging techniques of meibomian glands in evaporative dry eye disease. Researchers study gland atrophy, lipid composition alterations, and therapeutic interventions like thermal pulsation.
Tear Film Stability Assessment
This sub-topic covers noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), interferometry, and osmolarity measurements to quantify tear film dynamics. Researchers correlate stability metrics with symptoms and disease severity across populations.
Ocular Surface Inflammation Cytokines
This sub-topic examines proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in tears and conjunctival epithelium of dry eye patients. Researchers explore anti-inflammatory therapies and biomarker panels for disease stratification.
Contact Lens Associated Dry Eye
This sub-topic analyzes how lens materials, wear schedules, and solutions exacerbate ocular surface disruption and tear film instability. Researchers compare lens types and develop comfort-enhancing formulations.
Dry Eye Epidemiology Prevalence
This sub-topic surveys dry eye prevalence, risk factors, and geographic variations using standardized questionnaires like OSDI and DEQ. Researchers identify demographic predictors and healthcare burden estimates.
Why It Matters
Research in ocular surface and contact lens informs clinical management of dry eye disease, affecting contact lens wearers through disrupted tear film and meibomian gland dysfunction. The OSDI by Schiffman et al. (2000) serves as a validated endpoint in clinical trials, enabling precise severity assessment with psychometric reliability. TFOS DEWS II reports by Craig et al. (2017), Stapleton et al. (2017), and Wolffsohn et al. (2017) standardize definitions, prevalence data across populations, and diagnostic tools like tear breakup time and osmolarity, supporting therapies that delay complications in at-risk groups such as contact lens users.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Reliability and Validity of the Ocular Surface Disease Index" by Schiffman et al. (2000), as it provides a foundational, practical tool for assessing dry eye severity with validated psychometric data, essential before advancing to classification or epidemiology.
Key Papers Explained
Craig et al. (2017) in "TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report" updates the 2007 DEWS report by the Definition and Classification Subcommittee, refining dry eye as a tear film homeostasis disorder. Stapleton et al. (2017) in "TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report" builds on this by quantifying prevalence and risk factors like contact lens use. Wolffsohn et al. (2017) in "TFOS DEWS II Diagnostic Methodology report" then applies these to recommend tests such as osmolarity for ocular surface evaluation. Schiffman et al. (2000) in "Reliability and Validity of the Ocular Surface Disease Index" complements by validating a symptom questionnaire used alongside diagnostics.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
TFOS DEWS II reports from 2017 by Craig, Stapleton, and Wolffsohn et al. represent the current standards for definition, epidemiology, and diagnostics in dry eye linked to contact lens wear. No recent preprints or news available indicate stable guidelines focused on tear film and meibomian gland management.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels | 2012 | Nature | 5.1K | ✓ |
| 2 | The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study | 2002 | Archives of Ophthalmology | 3.6K | ✓ |
| 3 | The Definition and Classification of Dry Eye Disease: Report o... | 2007 | The Ocular Surface | 3.2K | ✕ |
| 4 | TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report | 2017 | The Ocular Surface | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 5 | Reliability and Validity of the Ocular Surface Disease Index | 2000 | Archives of Ophthalmology | 2.9K | ✕ |
| 6 | Keratoconus | 1998 | Survey of Ophthalmology | 2.7K | ✕ |
| 7 | The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study | 2002 | Archives of Ophthalmology | 2.6K | ✕ |
| 8 | TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report | 2017 | The Ocular Surface | 2.4K | ✓ |
| 9 | TFOS DEWS II Diagnostic Methodology report | 2017 | The Ocular Surface | 2.0K | ✕ |
| 10 | Report of the National Eye Institute/Industry workshop on Clin... | 1995 | PubMed | 1.7K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of dry eye disease?
The TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report by Craig et al. (2017) defines dry eye as a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film, with neuronal elements playing an important role. Both aqueous tear-deficient and evaporative forms exist, accompanied by ocular symptoms. Instability of the tear film develops that, in turn, results in inflammation and damage to the ocular surface.
How is the severity of dry eye disease measured?
The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) by Schiffman et al. (2000) is a valid and reliable 12-item questionnaire assessing dry eye symptoms over the past week. It demonstrates strong psychometric properties, including test-retest reliability and validity, making it suitable as an endpoint in clinical trials. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating greater disability.
What diagnostic methods are recommended for dry eye?
The TFOS DEWS II Diagnostic Methodology report by Wolffsohn et al. (2017) recommends tests such as non-invasive tear breakup time, tear osmolarity, and meibomian gland assessment for evaluating ocular surface health. These methods help identify tear film instability and evaporative dry eye linked to contact lens wear. Sequential testing improves diagnostic accuracy.
What is the epidemiology of dry eye disease?
The TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report by Stapleton et al. (2017) documents prevalence varying by population, with higher rates among contact lens wearers and those with meibomian gland dysfunction. Risk factors include age, female sex, and environmental exposures. Global estimates show dry eye impacts quality of life across diverse groups.
How does contact lens wear affect the ocular surface?
Contact lens wear contributes to dry eye through tear film disruption and increased evaporative loss, as covered in the field description and TFOS reports. Meibomian gland dysfunction worsens with prolonged wear. Management involves lens material selection and lubrication.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do inflammatory cytokines from contact lens wear alter corneal nerve morphology in dry eye patients?
- ? What are the long-term effects of meibomian gland dysfunction on tear film stability in contact lens users?
- ? Which diagnostic combinations best predict progression from contact lens discomfort to clinical dry eye disease?
- ? How does epidemiology of dry eye differ between contact lens wearers and non-wearers across global populations?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 69,859 papers with steady focus on dry eye diagnostics and contact lens effects, as no growth rate data or recent preprints/news are available.
Core advancements rest on 2017 TFOS DEWS II reports by Craig et al., Stapleton et al., and Wolffsohn et al., standardizing approaches post-2007 and 2000 OSDI validation.
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