Developments of Frictional Coefficient Measuring Unit on Human Ocular Surface and Computational Program to Create Empirical Formula

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16959
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Sakane Yuri 愛媛大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (00601478)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 眼科学 / 眼表面摩擦

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mechanical friction between the upper eye lid and cornea during blinking causes various ocular surface diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the lubricity of the ocular surface. To accomplish this, we developed an in vivo human ocular surface friction measuring system, and also developed a computational program using a algorithm for the empirical formulas to determine the lubricity. We also measured the frictional coefficient of the surface of the contact lenses with this device to invetigate the effect of the fricrion on the contact lens discomfort (CLD). The frictional coefficient of contact lenses after 2 weeks of wear increased significantly.

Free Research Field

眼科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

眼表面の摩擦状態を評価できる方法は現在のところない。今回開発した装置は低侵襲で眼表面の摩擦係数を測定することが可能であり、作成した解析プログラムで眼表面の潤滑状態を評価できた。まだデータの集積や、より安定して測定できるよう測定機の改良が必要であるが、眼表面の摩擦状態を明らかにし、どういうメカニズムで眼表面にストレスを与えて疾患を引き起こしているのか、どういう要因が疾患のリスクになり得るのか解明する一つのツールとなり得る。