Clinical manifestations secondary to soft contact lens wear

The study of 151 patients wearing soft hydrophilic lenses for one year revealed no gross irreversible lesions with loss of vision. But of significance was the presence of superficial lesions of the corneal epithelium, and chronic stromal oedema. While no significant loss of wearing time was noted for women taking the pill, the decrease in tear secretion in those patients with a latent dry eye problem could just alter the balance to produce intolerance. From this report it is the long-term changes to the tissues that remain to be fully investigated for soft hydrophilic lenses.