Dryness and Discomfort with Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether symptoms of dryness and discomfort are experienced differently with silicone hydrogel lenses compared to conventional hydrogels, in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Thirty-nine symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects wore four types of lenses: Focus NIGHT & DAY (CIBA Vision), Focus DAILIES (CIBA Vision), ACUVUE 2 (Johnson & Johnson Visioncare) and Proclear Compatibles (CooperVision) contralaterally for 7 hours and rated comfort and dryness on a zero-to-100 point visual analog scale at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 hours. RESULTS: In both groups, no lens differences were found for comfort and dryness, but the comfort and dryness ratings of the symptomatic group decreased significantly (became worse) over the 7-hour period. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that dryness and comfort is the same over time with silicone hydrogel as with the other three lenses.