DAILIES TOTAL1 Versus ACUVUE TruEye - Effects on the Biology of the Ocular Surface and Lid Margin

This is a prospective, single center, randomized, bilateral crossover, dispensing clinical trial to evaluate the effects of the water gradient lens, DAILIES TOTAL1, on the biology of corneal epithelium over two months of daily wear compared to wear of a control high oxygen permeable silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lens, the ACUVUE TruEye; and to correlate these changes with alterations in the lid wiper, tear film and cellular changes at the limbus. The total proposed duration of this study is 12 months to ensure enrollment of up to 94 established contact lens wearers, with anticipated completion of 84. Data will be collected at baseline and following 2 months of daily wear for each lens type. Based upon data from the investigators previous contact lens clinical trials, a 1 month washout period is required prior to initiating lens wear and also between lens wear periods for the two types of lenses in order to eliminate any potential residual solution or lens effects on the corneal epithelium and restore homeostasis. The study is scheduled to commence upon Institutional Review Board approval.

The following Standard of Care procedures will be performed during this study:

I.Medical history and Concomitant Medication Recorded - Subjects will be interviewed about their demographics, medical and ocular History, and their allergies and medications. The study doctor or the study personnel will use paper source documents (Case Report Form) to collect and record the following data: current prescription of both contact lenses and glasses, refraction, and keratometry.

II.Comprehensive Exam

A. Snellen visual acuity testing (both eyes) This will be performed using a standard projector chart at twenty feet. All patients will be refracted to ensure that visual acuity and prescription are within the inclusion criteria.

B. Anterior ocular segment inspection by slit lamp examination

1. Blink rate is estimated per minute (both eyes)
2. Normal eyelid and eyelash position is checked for both upper and lower lids (both eyes)
3. The tear meniscus is inspected and estimated for height in millimeter and presence or absence of cells and debris including mucous threads (both eyes)
4. The bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and crystalline lens are inspected for any abnormalities (both eyes)
5. Meibomian gland orifices are inspected for signs of inflammation or plugging; eyelid skin margin is inspected for inflammation and scaling (both eyes).

C. Aqueous tear production (both eyes) Following application of 1 drop of topical tetracaine, Schirmer test strips are applied to the lower fornix at the outer one-third of the lower eyelid for 3 minutes and the length of wetting recorded in mm (≥ 3.0 mm wetting/3 minutes considered within normal limits).

D. Corneal staining (both eyes) One-drop of non-preserved isotonic saline is placed upon the tip of a fluorescein test strip and applied to the lower fornix with the patient looking up; presence or absence of corneal staining with fluorescein is then noted by the screening clinician.

E. Intraocular pressure measurement One drop of tetracaine is applied and the cornea is gently applanated with the tip of the Goldmann tonometer to ensure Intraocular pressure ≤ 21 mmHg (both eyes).

F. Evaluation of upper and lower eyelids Both upper eyelids are gently everted and both upper and lower conjunctival surfaces inspected for any abnormalities.

G. Fundus examination The pupil is dilated OU (both eyes) with 1 drop each of 2.5% neosynephrine and 0.15% mydriacyl applied 1x, X2, or x3 as needed at 10 minute intervals to achieve \>5 mm dilation OU. The fundus is then inspected for the appearance of the optic nerve, macula, retinal vessels and periphery and any abnormalities noted. Any abnormalities are cause for non-inclusion.

The following Experimental Procedures will be performed:

I. Informed Consent Process The research staff will review the study including the informed consent in detail and allow the subject time to make an informed decision. Following review and opportunity to ask questions, the subject will be asked to sign this consent form.

II. Tear collection (both eyes) Tear collection will be performed as the first clinical test. Three µl sample volumes tears will be collected non-invasively in vivo using microcapillary tubes from the inferior tear meniscus at the temporal canthus of both eyes. Tears will be collected with the patient seated at the slit lamp with the light on low illumination.

III. Corneal epithelial cell collection (left eye only) Corneal epithelial cells can be collected non-invasively in vivo using a custom-made ocular irrigation chamber specific for these types of studies. The corneal irrigation chamber collects corneal epithelial cells into a 15 ml test tube. The patient is seated with forehead resting against a headrest; a fixation target is placed to orient the eye to be irrigated downwards; and the irrigating tip is positioned 2 mm below the corneal apex. Irrigation involves the delivery of 9 ml of sterile saline to the central cornea for a period of 1 minute via a tubing pump.

IV. In vivo confocal microscopy (right eye) A Heidelberg confocal microscope engineered in house with remote controlled scanning capabilities will be utilized in this study. One drop of topical tetracaine will be placed in the subject's eye; the subject's head is then placed in the headrest as for regular slit lamp examination. A drop of Genteal (Alcon Laboratories) is placed upon the top of the objective lens to serve as an immersion fluid. The cornea is then applanated using the standard objective lens tip. Both confocal microscopy through focusing scans and static images of the corneal epithelial surface will be acquired in the central cornea and all four quadrants of the limbus by controlling for the patient's direction of gaze. Similar image sequences will be performed to sequentially image the upper and lower lid wiper region at the midpoint of the eyelid (corresponding to the 5 and 7 o'clock position of the limbus). For upper lid imaging, the lid will be everted prior to image acquisition. Sequential imaging will allow for subsequent montage generation of the mid-point of the upper and lower lid.

Per visit details:

Visit 1: Screening Visit - Comprehensive ocular examination (Contact Lens Clinic at UTSW) (This visit will last \~ 90 minutes)

1. Informed Consent reviewed and signed
2. Medical History and Concomitant Meds
3. Comprehensive examination
4. Back-up glasses ordered as needed
5. Lens fitting and ordering based on randomization into the following lens groups:

   Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1 Johnson and Johnson ACUVUE TruEye
6. One month washout begins

Visit 2: Baseline Visit, lens 1 dispensed (This visit will last \~ 60 minutes)

1. Brief screening exam (go over medical history, medications, and slit lamp exam)
2. Informed consent re-reviewed
3. Baseline biological indicators (outcome measures) assessed Tear collection OU (OU = both eyes) Lid wiper staining OD (OD = Right eye) Ocular irrigation (collect epithelial cells) OS (OS = Left eye) Confocal microscopy of cornea, limbus and lid margin OD
4. Lenses dispensed

Visit 3: 1 week of lens wear (+/- 3 days) (This visit will last \~ 30 minutes)

1. Contact lens check up

   1. Lens fitting
   2. Slit lamp examination without corneal staining

Visit 4: 2 month of lens wear (+/- 3 days) (This visit will last \~ 60 minutes)

1. Brief screening exam (go over medical hx, medications, and slit lamp exam)
2. Lenses and diaries collected
3. Biological indicators assessed

i. Lenses collected OU ii. Tear collection OU iii. Lid wiper staining OD iv. Ocular irrigation OS v. Confocal microscopy of cornea, limbus and lid margin OD d. Patient begins next 1 month washout period

Visit 5: Baseline visit, lens 2 dispensed (This visit will last \~ 60 minutes) a. Brief screening exam (go over medical hx, medications, and slit lamp exam) b. Baseline biological indicators assessed i. Lenses collected OU ii. Tear collection OU iii. Lid wiper staining OD iv. Ocular irrigation OS v. Confocal microscopy of cornea, limbus and lid margin OD c. Lenses dispensed - begin crossover phase

Visit 6: 1 week of lens wear (+/- 3 days) (This visit will last \~ 30 minutes)

a. Contact lens check up

1. Lens fitting
2. Slit lamp examination without corneal staining

Visit 7: 2 month of lens wear (+/- 3 days) (This visit will last \~ 60 minutes)

1. Brief screening exam (go over medical hx, medications, and slit lamp exam)
2. Lenses and diaries collected
3. Biological indicators assessed

i. Lenses collected OU ii. Tear collection OU iii. Lid wiper staining OD iv. Ocular irrigation OS v. Confocal microscopy of cornea, limbus and lid margin OD d. Study completed

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 21-38 years
* Any sex, race or national origin accepted as with our past studies. Minority representation will be proactively encouraged
* Sign written informed consent
* A habitual contact lens wearer and only wear lenses for daily wear use (no overnight wear)
* Myopia range: -1.00 to -6.00 with regular astigmatism (≤1 Diopter, both eyes)
* Be willing to wear spectacles for two 1-month washout periods
* Have acceptable fit with test lenses and be willing to wear lenses for the duration of the study.
* Need correction in both eyes and be correctable to within 3 letters (high contrast Snellen VA) of their current contact lens prescription at baseline in each eye with the test lenses.
* No history of allergic eye disease either seasonal or associated with previous contact lens wear.
* A routine screening complete ocular examination (COE) with ocular findings considered to be within normal limits.
* Be willing and able to follow instructions regarding the wear of the daily disposable lenses and attend the scheduled follow-up visits.
* Must be able to arrange weekday appointments between 8:00 (morning) and 12:00 (noon).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Habitual lens wearers unable to wear lenses for a minimum of 8 hours per day.
* Use of concurrent ocular medication
* Habitual toric or bifocal contact lens wearers
* Any previous history of keratorefractive surgery or recent ocular injuries or ocular surgery within the prior 3 months
* Any preexisting ocular disease
* Monocular contact lens wear
* Any systemic disease or ocular abnormality that may impact optimal contact lens wear
* Use of systemic medications including but not limited to antihistamines, corticosteroids, anticholinergics or immunomodulatory agents
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial