PURPOSE: To determine whether there may be a relationship between the smoking habit ant the presence of dry eye signs and symptoms in a population of hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 adults HCL wearers were chosen randomly. The sample was divided into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers of less than 15 cigarettes per day and smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day. The ocular symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire (modified Mc Monnies test). Evaluation of tear meniscus, Schirmer test with anesthesia, non invasive break-up time (NIBUT), slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining were performed to assess ocular signs of dry eye. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking does not seem to affect the presence of signs and symptoms of ocular dryness in a population of HCL wearers and does not predispose to contact lens intolerance.
PURPOSE: To determine whether there may be a relationship between the smoking habit ant the presence of dry eye signs and symptoms in a population of hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 adults HCL wearers were chosen randomly. The sample was divided into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers of less than 15 cigarettes per day and smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day. The ocular symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire (modified Mc Monnies test). Evaluation of tear meniscus, Schirmer test with anesthesia, non invasive break-up time (NIBUT), slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining were performed to assess ocular signs of dry eye. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking does not seem to affect the presence of signs and symptoms of ocular dryness in a population of HCL wearers and does not predispose to contact lens intolerance.