Measuring friction and lubricity of soft contact lenses: a review

Comfort may be tied to friction and lubricity. Dr Lakshman Subbaramen and Professor Lyndon Jones discuss.

Over the last 35 years, the number of contact lens wearers worldwide has increased from 10 million to 140 million, with the vast majority (over 90 per cent) being fitted with soft lenses.1 Recent reports suggest that the contact lens industry is healthy and the worldwide annual soft contact lens market is estimated at $5.3 billion, with the US market estimated at $1.9bn.2

However, despite this apparently buoyant position, many wearers continue to be dissatisfied with their lenses and approximately 35 per cent of lens wearers discontinue wear, with the majority reporting the major reasons being discomfort and dryness, particularly at the end of the day.3