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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
08:28
Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
Use of contact lenses by firefighters. Part 1: Questionnaire data
Summary
Firefighters wearing contact lenses, including soft contact lenses (SCL) and rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPCL), experienced fewer eye irritations and improved performance. Soft contact lenses offered additional benefits with fewer complications than RGPCL.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Occupational Health
- Fire Science
Background:
- Firefighter eye safety is paramount, with current regulations prohibiting contact lens use.
- Refractive errors affect many firefighters, potentially impacting their performance and safety.
- The potential benefits of contact lenses for firefighters require thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of soft contact lenses (SCL) and rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPCL) for firefighters.
- To assess the impact of contact lens wear on firefighter eye irritation and overall performance.
- To compare the complication rates between SCL and RGPCL wearers in a firefighter population.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 29 soft contact lens wearers and 21 rigid gas permeable contact lens wearers among firefighters.
- Questionnaires administered pre-fitting and at 1, 4, and 10 months post-fitting to assess ocular symptoms and performance.
- Statistical analysis to compare outcomes between contact lens wearers and non-wearers, and between SCL and RGPCL groups.
Main Results:
- Both SCL and RGPCL wearers reported a statistically significant reduction in eye irritation from foreign bodies and fumes compared to non-wearers.
- Firefighters reported improved on-the-job performance with contact lens use.
- SCL wearers experienced significantly fewer issues, including lens dislodgement and ocular discomfort, compared to RGPCL wearers.
Conclusions:
- Soft contact lenses offer significant benefits for firefighters with refractive errors, improving comfort and reducing irritation.
- While RGPCL also reduce irritation, SCL demonstrate a superior safety and comfort profile for this occupational group.
- Further assessment of the effects of SCL on the ocular adnexa is necessary before widespread adoption can be sanctioned.
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