Scleral lens wear and fluid reservoir turbidity in eyes with ocular surface disorders

To investigate changes in fluid reservoir turbidity parameters over time and its influence on visual performance in eyes with ocular surface disorders (OSD) wearing scleral contact lenses (SL).

Thirteen eyes with OSD were assessed for corrected distance visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS) and fluid reservoir turbidity using anterior segment optical coherence tomography at baseline, after 5 min and 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of SL wear on day 1 and after 1 month.

A significant reduction in CS was noted at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of SL wear compared to 5 min (p < 0.001) and a similar trend was noted after 1 month (p < 0.001). The average number of particles on day 1 showed a significant increase over 4 h of SL wear (p < 0.001), with a same trend noted at 1 month (p = 0.001). However, the percentage of particles decreased from 88% ± 4% to 75% ± 12% (p = 0.004) after 1 month of SL wear. Average particle size showed a significant increase at all time points over 4 h compared with 5 min of SL wear (p < 0.003) and after 1 month (p < 0.001). The percentage of average particle size decreased from 73% ± 9% to 67% ± 8% after 1 month of lens wear (p = 0.003). The mean percentage turbid area increased from 0.6% ± 0.5% to 24% ± 16% over 4 h of lens wear on day 1 (p < 0.006) and from 0.7% ± 0.5% to 11% ± 8% at 1 month (p = 0.001). The mean difference in percentage turbid area at the first and follow-up visits decreased from 96% ± 3% to 89% ± 9% (p = 0.01).

A gradual increase in fluid reservoir turbidity parameters was noted with the reduction in CS; however, all these parameters improved after 1 month of SL wear.