Corneal thickness changes with extended contact lens wear

Eight myopic patients wearing Permalens contact lenses continuously for 18 months were monitored for corneal thickness changes. The averaged results showed maximum corneal swelling after 1 week of wear with the cornea gradually returning to near prefitting thickness levels. However, great individual variation in corneal thickness response was noted with some patients showing chronic corneal thickening and some showing corneal thinning after the 18-month wearing period.