Mucin Coatings Prevent Tissue Damage at the Cornea-Contact Lens Interface

With a prevalence of more than 10%, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (commonly known as dry eye syndrome) is one of the most frequent forms of ocular diseases; among contact lens wearers, this condition occurs even more often. Key components of the protective tear film are mucins, large glycoproteins that serve as molecular lubricants on many epithelial body surfaces. It is likely that, in the absence of a proper mucinous lubrication layer on the cornea surface, increased friction and tissue damage induced by contact lens sliding lead to discomfort. Herein, it is shown that purified gastric mucins efficiently prevent damage on the cornea, when they are used as a solution for cornea lubrication or as a molecular layer for contact lens coating. Furthermore, these results suggest that such a mucin coating also improves the performance of state-of-the-art hydrogel lenses, which are designed to provide an auto-lubrication mechanism upon contact with the eye. Thus, eye drops or contact lens storage solutions containing purified gastric mucins could be a great tool in fighting ocular dryness.