Direct Application of Systane Complete to Contact Lenses
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-10-20
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A common first line treatment for patients with dryness symptoms or contact lens discomfort
is the application of artificial tears or rewetting drops, respectively. Rewetting drops are
specifically formulated for use with contact lenses while artificial tears are indicated for
dry eye. Modern rewetting drops and artificial tears have similar formulations with similar
preservatives, preservatives that have been shown to be compatible with contact lenses. While
rewetting drops and artificial tears are regulated under different U.S. Food & Drug
Administration policies, artificial tears are not specifically indicated for direct use with
contact lenses. Nevertheless, clinicians commonly prescribe artificial tears to contact lens
wearers likely because newer formulations of artificial tear have the potential to outperform
available rewetting drops. The safety and efficacy of using artificial tears with contact
lenses for the treatment of discomfort is supported by Caffery and Josephson and Ozkan and
Papas who found that artificial tears significantly reduces dryness symptoms in contact lens
wearers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to test the safety of directly applying a new
artificial tear, Systane Complete, to the contact lens wearing eye and its ability to
alleviate symptoms while wearing contact lenses during the day.