• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the difference in tear film stability according to the wearing time when wearing clear and circle soft contact lens(circle lens) made of same material. Methods: The clear and circle contact lenses of hilafilcon B and nelfilcon A materials were respectively applied on the subjects classified as normal and dry eyes depending on their tear volume, and their tear film stability was investigated by measuring the non-invasive tear film break-up times, lens centration and the first appearing area of tear breakup after 30 mins and 6 hrs of lens wearing. Results: Non-invasive tear film breakup time significantly reduced with increase of the wearing time for normal and dry eyes when wearing clear and circle contact lenses. The starting ratio of tear film break-up was higher at the peripheral area of clear and circle lenses in all two different materials, and higher at the peripheral area of dry eyes than normal eyes. Starting ratio of tear film break-up was higher at the peripheral area of nelfilcon A lenses compared with hilafilcon B lenses, however, its change with the increase of wearing time showed a different aspect. The number of tear film break-up per unit area when wearing circle lenses of nelfilcon A increased at the central area with the wearing time while its number was higher at the peripheral area when wearing circle lenses of hilafilcon B. The centration of clear lenses made of two materials was closer to pupil compared to circle lenses with the increase of wearing time, however, a larger decentration was shown in dry eyes compared with normal eyes. Conclusions: The research revealed that an effect on tear film stability may be changed by clear lenses as well as circle lenses with coloring process according to the increase of wearing time, and the factors affecting on tear film stability may also vary depending on lens materials. Thus, the appropriate lenses should be selected by the consideration of lens material as well as coloring method/dyes according to the wearers' habit such as daily wearing time and wearing period when trying to wear clear and circle lenses.