Corneal stability after discontinued soft contact lens wear

To determine the time needed to reach corneal stability after discontinued daily wear of soft contact lenses and to identify corneal topographic and pachymetric changes during this period.

We prospectively studied the eyes of 21 consecutive soft contact lens wearers evaluated for keratorefractive surgery. Each eye was examined once immediately after lens removal, 3 and 7 days later, and weekly thereafter. At each visit, manifest refraction, keratometry, corneal topography (EyeSys Corneal Analysis system, EyeSys Laboratories, Houston, TX) and pachymetry were performed. Incidence of associated corneal warpage and changes in corneal curvature and thickness during corneal stability time were determined.

Of the 42 eyes examined, 26 corneas showed no significant change after the initial evaluation (stable group). The minimum stability time was 3 days in the remaining 16 eyes (unstable group), 7 of which had significant evidence of abnormal topography. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between two groups regarding age, sex, duration of contact lens wear, and refractive and topographic measures. The mean central corneal thickness on the final visit was significantly different between two groups (P<0.05).

Contact lens induced corneal warpage may occur in a considerable proportion of soft contact lens wearers. A 2-week contact lens free period seems to be adequate for the cornea to stabilize; however, one cannot predict the minimum time needed for each individual patient. Repeating examinations to document corneal stability before refractive surgery may be a safer alternative.