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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1547-1551 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.044024
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity to air stimuli

  1. F Stapleton1,
  2. M E Tan1,
  3. E B Papas1,
  4. K Ehrmann1,
  5. B Golebiowski1,
  6. J Vega2,
  7. B A Holden1
  1. 1Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, School of Optometry and Vision Science and Vision CRC, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
  2. 2CCLR, School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, Canada
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Fiona Stapleton Vision CRC, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia; F.Stapletonvisioncrc.org
  • Accepted 25 May 2004

Abstract

Aims: To determine the repeatability of ocular surface sensitivity to mechanical stimulation using air stimuli and the effect of contact lens (CL) wear on sensitivity.

Methods:Repeatability: 14 subjects (24–39 years) participated. Mechanical sensitivity to warmed (34°C) and ambient (20°C) air was measured for the central cornea (CC), inferior cornea (IC), and inferior conjunctiva (ICON). Measurements were taken on 12 days; six morning and six afternoon measurements. Differences between sites, time of day, and stimulus temperature were evaluated. CL wear: 10 subjects (22–30 years) participated. Measurements were taken at the same time of day, either following no wear, wear of a CL of oxygen permeability [Dk] of 28×10−9 [cm/s][ml O2/ml mm Hg] or wear of a CL of Dk 140×10−9 [cm/s][ml O2/ml mm Hg]. Differences between sites and wear conditions were evaluated.

Results:Repeatability: Sensitivity varied between sites (p<0.01), time of day (p<0.05), and stimulus temperatures (p<0.01). There were no significant differences between days. Mean thresholds for eye temperature stimuli were; CC 64.4 (SD 28.6) ml/min; IC 84.6 (40.0) ml/min; ICON 120.6 (40.4) ml/min and for ambient temperature stimuli were CC 53.9 (16.0) ml/min, IC 59.0 (20.0) ml/min; ICON 72.6 (43.7) ml/min. CL wear: Sensitivity varied between sites and wear conditions (p<0.05). Conjunctival sensitivity was increased after wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs but unaffected by wear of low oxygen permeable CLs.

Conclusions: The prototype gas aesthesiometer is able to repeatably measure ocular surface sensitivity and measurements are consistent with previously reported techniques.

Footnotes

  • Grant support: The study was partly supported by the Australian Federal Government through the Cooperative Research Centres Programme and through the Australian Research Council Collaborative Grants Programme and by Allergan Ltd.

  • Proprietary interest: None.

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