Extended wear soft contact lenses induce corneal epithelial changes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Physiology
• Contact Lens Research

Background:

• Contact lens wear is common for vision correction.
• Understanding the impact of different contact lens types on corneal health is crucial.
• Previous research indicates potential risks associated with prolonged contact lens use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate corneal epithelial alterations caused by various contact lens types.
• To compare the effects of daily wear versus extended wear soft and rigid gas permeable lenses.
• To assess morphological changes in aphakic patients switching lens types.

Main Methods:

• Specular microscopy was used to examine corneal epithelia.
• Sixty contact lens wearers (over 1 year) and 15 myopic controls were studied.
• Morphological changes were analyzed in patients switching from soft to rigid gas permeable extended wear lenses.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in corneal epithelial cell area were found for daily wear soft/rigid gas permeable lenses or extended wear rigid gas permeable lenses compared to controls.
• Extended wear soft contact lenses resulted in significantly enlarged corneal epithelia (p < 0.01).
• Switching from extended wear soft to rigid gas permeable lenses led to partial normalization of the corneal epithelium.

Conclusions:

• Extended wear soft contact lenses are associated with significant corneal epithelial enlargement.
• This enlargement may indicate an increased risk for corneal infections.
• Rigid gas permeable lenses, even for extended wear, do not appear to induce similar epithelial changes.