Novel in vitro method to determine pre-lens tear break-up time of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses

PURPOSE: To develop an in vitro model to determine pre-lens non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) and to subsequently use this method to compare the NIBUT over contemporary daily disposable (DD) contact lenses (CL). METHODS: Three silicone hydrogel (SH) and two conventional hydrogel (CH) DD CLs were incubated in an artificial tear solution (ATS). A model blink cell (MBC) was utilised to mimic intermittent air exposure. CLs were repeatedly …