Contact lens wear in an environment contaminated with metal particles

Ten subjects wearing soft contact lenses on a daily basis and working in an environment moderately contaminated with metal particles were followed for an average of 24 months. There were no signs of ocular damage and no history of eye irritation. Some contact lenses showed occasional brownish excavations, representing earlier lesions from burning particles, the lens thus having protected the cornea. Very few metal particles were seen on the lens when still on the eye and extremely few when studying removed lenses in light microscopy. Apparently particles were eliminated fairly easily be the tear fluid, by blinking and by daily cleaning. Atom absorption analysis of worn lenses showed only nanogram amounts of metal, not dissimilar to those in lenses worn by office employees. The lenses did not need to be replaced more often than for a group of office employees. Soft contact lenses apparently may be worn without damaging the eye in an environment moderately contaminated with metal particles, provided the lenses are properly cleaned. Contact lenses allow closer fitting of protective goggles compared to glasses; which is advantageous.