Daytime edema levels with plus powered low and high water content hydrogel contact lenses

Eleven unadapted contact lens wearers wore a high (74%) water content hydrogel lens (Permaflex, CooperVision) of oxygen transmissibility Dk/Lav 14 x 10(-9) in one eye and a low (43%) water content hydrogel lens (Aquaflex Superthin) of Dk/Lav 4 x 10(-9) in the other eye under open-eye conditions for 8 h. After 8 h, average corneal edema for the lower water content lens was 7.9 +/- 2.6%, which was significantly more than that for the higher water content lens, 1.7 +/- 1.6%. Significantly fewer corneal striae and folds were also seen in the eyes wearing the higher water content lens. Subjective ratings of lens comfort were significantly better for the higher water content lens. Low water content positive power hydrogel lenses of the thicknesses used in this study place unacceptable hypoxic stress on the cornea and therefore should not be used for all-day wear.