This study investigated the characteristics and location of the pigment layer of commercially available tinted contact lenses and evaluated ocular surface properties. The rub-off test and anterior segment Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography were used to analyze the pigment layer of the lenses. They also completed a rating questionnaire of subjective symptom perception after wearing. Among the four groups, there were significant differences in the ocular surface properties on day 3 (p < 0.05). Most of the ocular surface properties were significantly different between baseline and after being worn on day 1, day 3 and day 7 (p < 0.05), especially for tinted contact lenses with pigment layers on the lens surface. On initial wearing of the tinted contact lenses, contact between pigment layers on the surface of the lens and ocular tissues appeared to irritate the ocular surface more than non-pigment layers on the surface. Pigment-tinted soft contact lenses with lower oxygen permeability may cause worse ischemic signs on the ocular surface. However, the ocular surface adapted gradually and the symptoms decreased after wearing the tinted contact lens.
