A Corneal Biomechanical Study Measured with a Scheimpflug Dynamic Analyser in Soft Contact Lens Wearers

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Corneal Physiology

Background:

• Soft contact lenses (CLs) are widely used for myopia correction.
• Understanding their impact on corneal biomechanics is crucial for patient safety.
• The Corvis ST (CST) analyser provides advanced biomechanical measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate biomechanical changes in the cornea after soft CL wear in healthy myopic patients.
• To assess the safety and stability of corneal stiffness with CL use.
• To analyze specific biomechanical parameters using the CST analyser.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, cross-sectional study of 22 Caucasian myopic patients (19-24 years).
• Measurements included five biomechanical parameters, central corneal thickness (CCT), and biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) using CST.
• Data collected pre-fitting and one month post-CL wear.

Main Results:

• Significant differences observed in deflection amplitude ratio (DA Ratio) and standard deviation of DA Ratio (SD DA Ratio) pre- and post-CL wear (p=0.002).
• Significant increase in central corneal thickness (CCT) post-CL wear (p=0.013).
• No significant differences in other biomechanical measures or bIOP pre- and post-CL wear.

Conclusions:

• Soft CL fitting is a safe optical compensation method, maintaining corneal stiffness stability.
• Corneal biomechanical indices from CST support the safety of soft CL wear.
• No significant alterations in bIOP were detected after one month of soft CL use.