초록
목적: 성분 조성이 다른 인공눈물들이 소프트콘택트렌즈를 착용한 건성안의 착용 초기 눈물막 안정성 및 자각증상에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 방법: Etafilcon A 재질의 소프트콘택트렌즈를 착용한 50안의 건성안에 성분 조성이 다른 3종의 인공눈물 용액 및 식염수를 각각 점안하고 비침습성 눈물막 파괴시간(NIBUT)를 인공눈물 점안한 직후부터 30분까지 5분 간격으로 측정하였고, 점안 30분후의 순목 횟수 및 자각증상 변화를 알아보았다. 결과: 3종의 인공눈물 모두 식염수보다 NIBUT를 더 크게 증가시켰다. 인공눈물 점안 직후의 NIBUT 증가 효과는 점성조절제가 포함된 인공눈물에서 가장 컸으며, 효과지속 시간은 계면활성제와 점성조절제가 모두 포함된 인공눈물이 가장 길었다. 순목 횟수는 인공눈물 용액과 식염수 점안시 모두 통계적으로 유의한 변화가 없었다. 자각적 증상은 인공눈물 및 식염수 점안으로 모두 통계적으로 유의하게 향상되었으며 대부분의 용액에 의해 건조감, 이물감, 피곤감, 뻑뻑함, 눈시림 증상의 향상이 나타났다. 점안 30분 후에는 인공눈물 점안전의 자각증상과 유사한 수준으로 복귀하였다. 결론: 건성안의 소프트콘택트렌즈 착용 초기 자각 증상은 인공눈물과 식염수 모두 완화시켜주지만 눈물막의 안정성에 미치는 효과는 함유 성분에 따라 차이가 있음을 밝혔다. 본 연구결과를 통하여 콘택트렌즈 착용 건성안의 착용 초기 안구건조증 개선을 위해서는 적절한 인공눈물의 선택이 필요함을 제안한다.
Purpose: In the present study, the effect of artificial tears with different ingredients on tear film stability and subjective symptoms of dry eyes in the early stage of soft contact lenses wear was investigated. Methods: The three kinds of artificial tears and saline solution were respectively applied onto 50 dry eyes which wore soft contact lenses made of etafilcon A. Then, non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT) was measured at every five minutes for 30 minutes right after the instillation of artificial tears, and the changes in blink rate and subjective symptoms were estimated after 30 minutes from the instillations. Results: All three kinds of artificial tears increased NIBUT larger than saline. The effect of increasing NIBUT immediately after the instillation of artificial tears was the largest when the artificial tear containing viscosity enhancer was used. The duration time of the effect was the longest when the artificial tear having both surfactant and viscosity enhancer was applied. The blink rate was not significantly changed when both artificial tears and saline solution were instilled. Subjective symptoms were significantly improved by the instillation of both artificial tears and saline solution and dryness, irritation, tiredness, stiffness, dazzling were improved by the use of most solutions. However, the subjective symptoms were rebounded to the level before the instillation of artificial tears after 30 minute-instillation. Conclusions: It was revealed that both artificial tears and saline solution could improve the subjective symptoms of dry eye in the early stage of soft contac lenses however, the effect of these solutions on the tear film stability was different according to the components. From the results, it is suggested that the proper selection of artificial tears is necessary for the improvement of dry eye symptoms at the early stage of soft contact lenses wear in dry eye.