BCLA CLEAR Episode 10 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Anterior Eye

In the tenth and final instalment in the BCLA CLEAR podcast series Dr Melissa Barnett – a Fellow of the BCLA and Global Ambassador for the BCLA – interviews Dr Laura Downie about the BCLA CLEAR paper on anatomy and physiology of the anterior eye. A key element of contact lens practice involves clinical evaluation of anterior eye health, including the cornea and limbus, conjunctiva and sclera, eyelids and eyelashes, lacrimal system and tear film. Of course there is a lot to discuss in a short space of time but these highlights will give you an insight into some of the findings in the paper. Please take the time to read the full paper. Details can be found on the BCLA website.

This report reviews the fundamental anatomy and physiology of these structures, including the vascular supply, venous drainage, lymphatic drainage, sensory innervation, physiology and function. This is the foundation for considering the potential interactions with, and effects of, contact lens wear on the anterior eye. This information is not consistently published as academic research and this report provides a synthesis from all available sources. With respect to terminology, the report aims to promote the consistent use of nomenclature in the field, and generally adopts anatomical terms recommended by the Federative Committee for Anatomical Terminology. Techniques for the examination of the ocular surface are also discussed.

Dr Downie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne, where she heads the ‘Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit’ comprising 13 members. Laura’s research combines laboratory, clinical and implementation science as a foundation for improving patient outcomes, with a focus on the anterior eye.

BCLA CLEAR is an initiative that has drawn together thousands of research papers on many different aspects of contact lenses into one place. The findings were published in, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, the BCLA's scientific journal, in April 2021 under ten reports. BCLA CLEAR was facilitated by the BCLA, with financial support by way of Educational Grants for collaboration, publication and dissemination provided by Alcon and CooperVision.