The clinical relevance of contact lens lubricity

Despite advances in contact lens materials, designs and lens care products, discomfort, especially end-of-day discomfort and dryness, continues to be the predominant reason for discontinuation of lens wear.1,2 Although much effort has been put into development of effective multifocal soft contact lenses, contact lenses to control myopic progression and attempts to decrease corneal infection rates, the most effective way to increase the number of wearers is a corneo-mimetic contact lens surface that provides outstanding end-of-day comfort and therefore significantly reduce the number of dropouts from contact lens wear.

Most soft lenses are fully hydrated and comfortable upon insertion. We know however that for many lens wearers comfort decreases or dryness worsens during the day3-5 and the maximal fluid state of the ocular environment and conventional hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses can change6-8 after insertion.