미세먼지 농도가 소프트콘택트렌즈 착용에 미치는 영향

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the changes of soft contact lens parameters, tear film stability and subjective symptoms according to the concentration of the particulate matter. Methods: 20 eyes wore etafilcon A oneday disposable soft contact lenses for 8 hours on both usually and poor days of concentration of the particulate matter.
The non-invasive tear film break up time (NIBUT) was measured before and after wearing the soft contact lens on each day and the parameters such as total diameter, back optic zone radius, center thickness, refractive power, visible light transmittance, oxygen permeability, and subjective symptoms were measured. Results: NIBUT and overall subjective symptoms score were significantly different according to the concentration of the particulate matter. The degrees of change in parameters of the soft contact lens were little and were not significantly different. Changes in overall subjective symptoms, which were greater on the day when the particulate matter density was high, were more affected by systemic symptoms than by the symptoms of eye discomfort. Conclusions: This study showed that the particulate matter concentration affects the related symptoms when wearing one-day disposable soft lenses. It is suggested that further studies on the problems caused by repeated exposure to the particulate matter for a long period of time and the difference according to the soft contact lens material need to proceed in order to safely wear soft contact lens in the particulate matter environment.