Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Biomaterials are materials that come into close contact with living biological cells or fluids. Some of the best examples of biomaterials include heart valves, blood vessels, artificial joint replacements, breast implants, intraocular lens implants (for use following cataract surgery), and contact lenses, of which the latter two are among the most widely used. Over 140 million people worldwide wear contact lenses, of which 90% use soft, hydrogel lenses, which are typically replaced after being used for 1 day to 1 month. In Canada alone, the 3 million wearers of lenses use approximately 30 million new soft lenses annually. These materials come into direct contact with the tear film on the surface of the eye, which is a highly complex fluid containing a wide variety of proteins, oils, metabolites and electrolytes. Once exposed to the tear film, these contact lens materials take up various components from it, some of which may induce inflammatory responses. This grant will continue my work in developing an enhanced understanding of the interactions that occur between soft lens materials with the tear film and outer surface of the eye. It will use a wide variety of cutting-edge laboratory techniques, with a specific emphasis of trying to better understand contact lens-induced inflammation. Two specific programs of work will be undertaken: a) To develop a better understanding of the way that certain pro-inflammatory substances in the tear film result in inflammation. Once this has been determined then we will develop new materials that resist the uptake of these components. b) To develop novel materials that deliver anti-inflammatory substances to the surface of the eye. These will include examination of the potential for substances shown to be beneficial when ingested, such as vitamin C, resveratrol (found in red wine), components in green tea and omega 3 essential fatty acids. Obtaining a greater understanding of the potential for contact lens materials to cause and modify ocular surface inflammation will help with the development of next generation contact lens materials and other ocular biomaterials. The results will provide excellent training for Canadian students in an area that provides great potential for employment, and will lead to better contact lens materials for the 3 million Canadians who wear contacts.