The use of Saturn II lenses in keratoconus

We studied Saturn II contact lenses in keratoconus patients who were intolerant to other available contact lenses. A total of 24 patients, who were followed for up to 15 months, participated in the study. Visual acuities improved significantly following fitting with the Saturn II contact lens; whereas only one eye in the series was correctable to 20/20 before fitting, eight eyes were corrected to 20/20 following fitting. A great number of lenses had to be replaced during the study because of deposit formation and tearing at the interface (rate of replacement: 0.52 lenses per eye per month). A variety of complications occurred during lens wear, resulting in only six eyes wearing the Saturn II lens at the close of the study (out of 46 eyes that had started wearing the lens). Discomfort due to tightness of the peripheral segment was the most common cause of lens discontinuation. We conclude that the Saturn II lens was inadequate for fitting patients with advanced keratoconus.