Corneal infiltrates with red eye related to duration of extended wear

Seventy-eight patients wearing Bausch & Lomb 03/04 Soflens for extended wear were followed for over two years. Corneal infiltrates associated in only 2.7% of patients who removed their lenses more often than every five weeks; however, the incidence of infiltrates increased to 25% in those wearing their lenses for 5 weeks without removal. Beyond 5 weeks removal, the incidence averaged 27%. Removal, however brief, and cleaning of the lens gets rid of ocular debris trapped underneath the lens which, it is speculated, triggers this inflammatory response.