Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Biomaterials are materials that come into close contactwith living biological cells or fluids. Some of the best examples ofbiomaterials include heart valves, blood vessels, artificial jointreplacements, breast implants, intraocular lens implants (for use followingcataract surgery), and contact lenses, of which the latter two are among themost widely used. Over 140 million people worldwide wear contact lenses, ofwhich 90% use soft, hydrogel lenses, which are typically replaced after beingused for 1 day to 1 month.In Canada alone, the 3 million wearers oflenses use approximately30 million new soft lenses annually. Thesematerials come into direct contact with the tear film on the surface of theeye, which is a highly complex fluid containing a wide variety of proteins,oils, metabolites and electrolytes. Once exposed to the tear film, thesecontact lens materials take up various components from it, some of which mayinduce inflammatory responses. This grant will continue my work in developing anenhanced understanding of the interactions that occur between soft lensmaterials with the tear film and outer surface of the eye. It will use a wide varietyof cutting-edge laboratory techniques, with a specific emphasis of trying tobetter understand contact lens-induced inflammation. Two specific programs of work will be undertaken: a) To develop a better understanding of the waythat certain pro-inflammatory substances in the tear film result ininflammation. Once this has been determined then we will develop new materialsthat resist the uptake of these components. b) To develop novel materials that deliveranti-inflammatory substances to the surface of the eye. These will include examinationof the potential for substances shown to be beneficial when ingested, such as vitaminC, resveratrol (found in red wine), components in green tea and omega 3 essentialfatty acids. Obtaining a greater understanding of the potential for contactlens materials to cause and modify ocular surface inflammation will help withthe development of next generation contact lens materials and other ocularbiomaterials. The results will provide excellent training for Canadian studentsin an area that provides great potential for employment, and will lead tobetter contact lens materials for the 3 million Canadians who wear contacts.