CONTACT LENS 

Minerva Oftalmologica 2002 March;44(1):23-30

Copyright © 2002 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Corneal swelling and risk of keratopathy in contact lens wear

Graham A. D.

The risk of complications from contact lens wear can be estimated in many ways, both qualitative and quantitative. Clinical trials of long duration with large numbers of subjects provide the most accurate predictions of risk, taking into account different classes of complications and the effects of numerous patient and contact lens characteristics. As a more practical alternative, a simple clinical or laboratory assessment might be used to predict the risk of complications. The corneal swelling response possesses several of the qualities needed for a viable predictor of keratopathy, and has been accepted as such by many researchers and clinicians. There is substantial indirect evidence to support this assumption; however, the extent to which contact lens-induced corneal swelling response can serve as a predictor for the risk of keratopathy has not been determined. Recent findings suggest several possible measurements that could contribute to a better risk estimate. With millions of contact lens wearers world-wide, a substantial proportion in extended or overnight wear, it is important to identify an accurate and efficient means of predicting the level of risk to contact lens patients.