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The Ocular Surface, the Tear Film, and the Wettability of Contact Lenses

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Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 438))

Abstract

The tear film is the interface between the ocular surface and the external environment and, as such, plays several important roles.1 (i) It forms a refracting thin film that smooths out the irregular corneal surface topography. (ii) It maintains an extracellular environment for the epithelial cells of the cornea and the conjunctiva that is fairly constant in terms of pH, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and nutrient and growth factor concentrations. (iii) Tears dilute and wash away noxious stimuli, including bacteria, which are also combated by an elaborate and effective antibacterial system. (iv) The tear film changes its composition in response to physiological stimuli.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Carol A. Morris, Brien A. Holden, Eric Papas, Hans J. Griesser, Shirley Bolis, Philip Anderton & Fiona Carney

  2. Division of Chemicals and Polymers, CSIRO, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Hans J. Griesser

  3. School of Optometry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Philip Anderton

Authors
  1. Carol A. Morris
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  2. Brien A. Holden
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  3. Eric Papas
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  4. Hans J. Griesser
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  5. Shirley Bolis
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  6. Philip Anderton
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  7. Fiona Carney
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David A. Sullivan  & Darlene A. Dartt  & 

  2. Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Michele A. Meneray

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Morris, C.A. et al. (1998). The Ocular Surface, the Tear Film, and the Wettability of Contact Lenses. In: Sullivan, D.A., Dartt, D.A., Meneray, M.A. (eds) Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 438. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_101

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_101

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7445-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5359-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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