Tear Cytokines as Predictive Biomarkers of Success in Contact Lens Discomfort Management

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze changes in tear levels of inflammatory mediators in symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers after refitting with daily disposable CLs and to identify potential biomarkers of success in CL discomfort (CLD) management.

Methods

Symptomatic CL wearers (CLDEQ-8 ≥ 12) were refitted (V1) with daily disposable CLs (Delefilcon A). After one month (V2), participants were classified into the post-fitting non-symptomatic (CLDEQ <12) and symptomatic (CLDEQ ≥12) groups. At each visit, the participants were clinically evaluated, tears were collected, and 20 inflammatory mediators and substance P (SP) were measured using multiplex immunobead analysis and ELISA, respectively. The detection rates and concentrations were compared between visits and groups, and logistic regression models were performed.

Results

Forty-three subjects (32 women/11 men; mean age: 23.2 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled. The IL-1β and IL-9 detection rates were higher at V2 (p ≤ 0.044). The detection rates of IL-1β, IL-9, MIP-1α/CCL3, and MMP-9 at V1 (p ≤ 0.045) and IL-17A at V2 (p ≤ 0.014) were higher in the post-fitting symptomatic group. The tear IL-9 concentration was increased at V2 (p = 0.018). The tear concentrations of fractalkine/CX3CL1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-3/CCL7, MIP-1β, NGF, RANTES/CCL5, and TNF-α were higher in the post-fitting symptomatic group (p ≤ 0.044). Additionally, levels of fractalkine/CX3CL1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES/CCL5, and TNF-α at V1 were significantly associated with the post-fitting grouping (p ≤ 0.044).

Conclusions

Low tear concentrations of specific inflammatory mediators may be used as a predictive biomarker of success for refitting symptomatic CL wearers with daily disposable CLs. However, complementary treatments might be required for symptomatic CL wearers with higher levels of these inflammatory molecules.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomarker
• contact lens
• discomfort
• inflammation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09273948.2024.2361114

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by a research grant award by the International Society of Contact Lens Research (ISCLR). The funding source had no involvement in the study design or conduct; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.