Extended-wear Hydrocurve and Sauflon contact lenses

Fifty-six of 70 eyes selected for extended-wear lenses were successfully fitted with moderately hydrophilic (Hydrocurve II and Hydrocurve II-55) and highly hydrophilic (Sauflon) contact lenses. Thirty-two of 34 myopic eyes and 24 of 36 aphakic eyes were successfully fitted. The myopic eyes were followed up for two to 20 months and the aphakic eyes for two to 17 months. Ninety-one percent of all eyes achieved visual acuity better than or equal to 6.9 (20/30). Approximately 2.8 lenses per eye per year were required for success. The major complication was corneal edema (anoxic overwear); some of these cases responded to the fitting of looser, more hydrophilic lenses, frequent use of artificial tears, and increased blinking. There was no difference in the incidence of lens deposits between the moderately and highly hydrophilic lenses, and in only six eyes did lens deposits necessitate a lens change. There were no corneal ulcers in this study.