Clinical indicators of inflammation in contact lens wearers despite uncharged tear transforming‐growth factor‐B1 and interleukin 1‐B levels

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) Vol. 103; no. S284
• Main Authors: Pereira, Eduardo Insua, Sampaio, Ana Paula, Lira, Madalena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Contact lenses; Cornea; Cytokines; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Growth factors; Hyperemia; Inflammation; Interleukin 1; Meniscus; Statistical analysis; Tears; Transforming growth factor-b; Transforming growth factor-b1; Vascularization
• ISSN: 1755-375X; 1755-3768
• DOI: 10.1111/aos.17138

Aims/Purpose: This study aims to investigate the presence of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)‐β1 and Interleukin (IL)1‐β in the tears of experienced contact lens wearers; and determine clinical ocular changes induced by the use of these devices. Methods: Fifty subjects participated in this case‐control clinical trial: Twenty‐five experienced contact lens wearers (31.9± 9.2 years; 4 men) and 25 controls (29.5 ± 7.0 years; 9 men). Tear samples were collected in a single visit during the morning (10 ‐ 12 am). Contact lens wearers were evaluated with the lens in situ. The tear samples were assayed for TGF‐β1 and IL1‐β using Enzyme‐Linked Immunobsorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Clinical evaluations included blinking frequency; pre‐corneal (NIBUT) and pre‐lens non‐invasive break‐up time (PL‐NIBUT); tear meniscus height; and physiological responses (bulbar, limbal hyperemia, corneal neovascularization) assessment. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in TGF‐β1 (p = 0.337) and IL1‐β (p = 0.114) levels between the groups. However, contact lens wearers exhibited a significantly higher blink frequency (19 ± 10 Vs. Control 16 ± 8 blinks/min., p = 0.036), a lower tear meniscus height (0.22 ± 0.09 mm Vs. Control 0.28 ± 0.07 mm, p = 0.009), and a higher degree of limbal hyperemia (1.4 ± 1.5 Vs. Control 1.2 ± 1.4, p = 0.05). The corneal neovascularization remained similar (0.0 ± 0.2 Vs. Control 0.0 ± 0.1 p = 0.001). PL‐NIBUT was significantly shorter than NIBUT (8.2 ± 6.7 Vs. 13.4 ± 12.1 p < 0.001). Conclusions: Contact lenses wear induces subtle ocular inflammatory signs, as evidenced by clinical assessments. However, intriguingly, this process does not appear to be mediated by tear‐borne TGF‐β1 and IL1‐β in experienced wearers. The discrepancy suggests alternative inflammatory pathways or compensatory mechanisms might be involved, warranting further investigation.