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Tatsuya Mimura,1 Hiroshi Fujishima,2 Eichi Uchio,3 Kazumi Fukagawa,4,5 Yuji Inoue,1 Makoto Kawashima,1 Kazuma Kitsu,1 Atsushi Mizota1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan; 4Ryogoku Eye Clinic, Sumida-Ku, Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Tatsuya Mimura, Tel +81-3-3964-1211, Fax +81-3-3964-1402, Email mimurat-tky@umin.ac.jpPurpose: Asian dust poses a serious global health hazard. Airborne particles adhering to contact lenses may cause substantial damage to the ocular surface. The recently released one-day disposable silicone hydrogel soft contact lens (SCL), the verofilcon A, has a smooth surface with SMARTSURFACE® technology, which is designed to prevent adhesion of protein components and foreign bodies. The purpose of this study was to verify the protective quality of verofilcon A SCL against adhesion of Asian dust particles to its surface.Methods: Verofilcon A and etafilcon A (control lens) SCLs were used (n=16 per group), and 0.2 mL of physiological saline containing 0.01 mg/mL of Asian dust particles was dropped on the surface of SCLs, allowed to stand for 1 hour, shaken for 1 minute, and rinsed three times with saline (after rinsing). In addition, the samples were agitated by a vortex mixer for 1 minute and rinsed three times with saline (after vortex). The number of Asian dust particles adhering to the SCLs and percentage of the surface area occupied by the Asian dust particles was determined before washing, after rinsing, and after vortexing.Results: The number of adherent Asian dust particles was lower on verofilcon A SCL (297 ± 116 after rinsing, and 5 ± 14 after vortexing) than on etafilcon A SCL (523 ± 212 after rinsing, p=0.003, and 378 ± 268 after vortexing, p< 0.001). The Asian dust adhesion area was also lower on verofilcon A SCL (3.6 ± 2.3% after rinsing and 0.0 ± 0.1% after vortexing than on etafilcon A (10.2 ± 2.1% after rinsing, p=0.002, and 5.2 ± 3.0% after vortexing, p< 0.001).Conclusion: These findings indicate that verofilcon A SCL has the property of low adhesion of Asian dust particles. Verofilcon A SCL can be recommended for SCL wearers during windy and Asian dust days.Keywords: Asian dust, daily soft contact lens, etafilcon A, silicone hydrogel, verofilcon A

Tatsuya Mimura,1 Hiroshi Fujishima,2 Eiichi Uchio,3 Kazumi Fukagawa,4,5 Makoto Kawashima,1 Kazuma Kitsu,1 Hiroaki Horikawa,1 Atsushi Mizota1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan; 4Ryogoku Eye Clinic, Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, JapanCorrespondence: Tatsuya Mimura Tel +81-3-3964-1211Fax +81-3-3964-1402Email mimurat-tky@umin.ac.jpPurpose: Pollen and proteins attached to soft contact lenses (SCLs) exacerbate allergic conjunctivitis. The material of SCLs may affect the pollen adhesion to the SCLs. The factors associated with the number of pollen particles that are adherent to daily disposable SCL were investigated.Methods: Pollen particles were experimentally exposed to the contact lens surface of 12 types of SCLs for 1 hour, and the SCLs were washed and rinsed with a physiological saline (n=10 for each SCL type). A total of 120 contact lenses were used in this study. The pollen particles attached to the SCL were observed and photographed under a microscope. The influence of the materials of the SCLs on the degree of pollen adhesion were investigated.Results: The number of residual pollen particles attached to SCLs was in the range from 0– 293/area of 200× 200 μm. Percentage of pollen adhesion area of the surface of the SCL was in the range from 0.01% to 3.25%. There were significant differences in both the number and adhesion area of pollen particles among the 12 types of SCLs tested (P< 0.0001 and P< 0.0001, respectively). The number of pollen particles adhered to SCLs was significantly higher in colored SCLs than clear SCLs (unpaired t-test, p< 0.001). The portion of pollen adhesion area was the lowest in the silicone hydrogel SCLs made with delefilcon-A (0.01 ± 0.02%).Conclusion: Pollen adhesion in daily disposable SCLs depends on the characteristics and materials of the SCLs and was high in colored SCLs and lowest in delefilcon-A silicone hydrogel SCL. These results suggest that colored SCLs are not preferred during pollen season.Keywords: daily soft contact lens, delefilcon-A, pollen, silicone hydrogel

In order to make it possible to measure the clo value in various postures, we are studying the measurement method using the human body. Our previous researches showed that clo value measured with the human body is less than that measured with a “constant temperature control”-type thermal manikin. In our previous experiments, human body changes its skin temperature in response to the amount of clothing or changes in the temperature to maintain heat loss, while a “constant temperature control”-type thermal manikin changes its heat loss in response to the temperature or amount of clothing. Human body reaction is similar to “constant heat dissipation” -type thermal manikin. In order to improve the clo value measurement method using the human body, clo value of same clothing by thermal manikin which changed control method to “constant temperature” and “constant heat dissipation” were measured. Relational expressions of thermal insulation of clothes measured by different control methods were shown.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between the physiological and psychological responses of the human body and the outdoor environment evaluation index ETFe (enhanced conductioncorrected modified effective temperature). The experiments were carried out in summer. For the measurements, observation points were selected with consideration for the condition of the ground surface such as bare ground where the surface is gravel or soil; paved ground such as concrete, asphalt or blocks; green areas covered in plants and water surfaces and with consideration for the condition of the sky factor due to buildings or trees. 19 observation points were chosen. Subjects were 38 healthy young. ETFe that was considered to report neither hot nor cold, thermally neutral sensation, was 30.6°C. ETFe that was considered to report neither comfortable nor uncomfortable comfort was 35.5°C. It was considered that the threshold for the human body with regards to thermal environment stimuli in an outdoor space is higher than the thermal environment stimuli in a summer indoor space.

A letter to the editor is presented which reports on the use of real-time telemedicine in the follow-up of patients with complications of the ocular surface.