Extended-wear of high oxygen-permeable quantum contact lenses

This study was performed to investigate the effects of extended-wear of rigid aspherical high gas-permeable contact lenses on the cornea. In the study 32 subjects (62 eyes) were followed over a period of 3 to 24 months. A high gas-permeable contact lens (Dk 92), made of fluoro-silicone-acrylate copolymer, was used. Vision remained constant during the studied period. The corneal thickness decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) during the first six months. Significant changes (p less than 0.05) were found after three months in the corneal curvature, especially in the vertical meridian. No further topographical changes were noted in the period between three and six months of extended-wear. Complications, like acute red eye syndrome and bacterial infections, which may be encountered in soft lens extended-wear, were not noticed. At the end of the study 20 subjects (38 eyes, 61%) were still on extended-wear, 9 subjects (18 eyes, 29%) changed to daily wear and 3 subjects (six eyes, 10%) became unavailable for follow-up. Extended-wear of rigid aspherical high gas-permeable contact lenses may be considered as an acceptable alternative for soft lens extended-wear.