Variations in central corneal thickness during the first year of contact lens wear
Høvding, G.
Acta Ophthalmologica 60(1): 57-69
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-639X PMID: 7136529 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1982.tb05782.x
Accession: 044943964
Variations in central corneal thickness during the first year of hard, hydrophilic or silicone lens wear are reported. The mean corneal swelling after 1/2,3 and 6 months was 4.7-3.0% in the first 2 groups (P less than 0.001 - P = 0.005), but only 1.3-0.8% in the latter group (P = 0.011 - 0.050). These differences were statistically significant (P less than 0.001 - P = 0.046) and are ascribed to a higher oxygen tension under the silicone lenses. An over-all reduction of corneal oedema was noted after 1/2 month (P = 0.025). One year after lens fitting a similar and not significant corneal swelling was found in the 3 lens groups. In addition to an initial 'osmotic' adaptation our results indicate that a further corneal adaptation to hard and hydrophilic lenses may take place between 6 and 12 months after lens fitting. Development of lens intolerance was not correlated to the degree of corneal oedema after 1/2 month of lens wear.