Contact Lenses for Ocular Surface Disease

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Ocular surface diseases cause significant patient discomfort and vision loss.
• Therapeutic contact lenses are underutilized due to misconceptions about their use in compromised ocular environments.
• Conditions like ocular graft-vs-host disease and Stevens-Johnson syndrome present unique management challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on therapeutic contact lenses for ocular surface disease management.
• To explore the application of bandage soft contact lenses (BSCL), scleral lenses, and prosthetic devices.
• To provide clinical insights into fitting these specialized lenses.

Main Methods:

• Focused literature review of studies on BSCLs, scleral lenses, and prosthetic devices.
• Examination of evidence for recurrent corneal erosion, ocular graft-vs-host disease, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
• Inclusion of clinical pearls for BSCL fitting and antibiotic prophylaxis considerations.

Main Results:

• Substantial literature supports the use of BSCLs for recurrent corneal erosion.
• Scleral lenses and prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) are effective in managing Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
• Clinical guidelines and fitting strategies for BSCLs are discussed.

Conclusions:

• Therapeutic contact lenses, including BSCLs and scleral lenses, are valuable tools for managing complex ocular surface diseases.
• Addressing conventional wisdom regarding contact lens wear in dry or irritated eyes is crucial for patient care.
• Further consideration of fitting techniques and prophylactic measures can optimize treatment outcomes.