Complications of rigid gas permeable lenses for extended wear

A retrospective study of 174 patients wearing rigid gas permeable lenses for a period of 2 years was carried out to determine the success rate and types of complications which typically occur. The results indicate that these types of lenses are a viable modality for extended wear, as the majority of signs which may lead to serious complications can be detected relatively early. When these signs were detected the patients were switched to daily wear and most were able to wear these lenses uneventfully. However, the results also indicate that unexpected problems can occur, and thus frequent follow-up is essential in these patients in order to avoid the potentially sight-threatening problems which have come to be associated with extended wearing of contact lenses.