Hypoxic Corneal Changes following Eight Hours of Scleral Contact Lens Wear

Stephen J Vincent; David Alonso-Caneiro; Michael J Collins; Alison Beanland; Linda Lam; Ching Chong Lim; Alyssa Loke; Nhi Nguyen

doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000000803

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Hypoxic Corneal Changes following Eight Hours of Scleral Contact Lens Wear

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Hypoxic Corneal Changes following Eight Hours of Scleral Contact Lens Wear

Stephen J Vincent, David Alonso-Caneiro, Michael J Collins, Alison Beanland, Linda Lam, Ching Chong Lim, Alyssa Loke and Nhi Nguyen

Optometry and Vision Science, Vol.93(3), pp.293-299

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000000803

PMID: 26760584

Abstract

miniscleral contact lens

corneal edema

posterior corneal curvature

hypoxia

PURPOSE: To examine the change in corneal thickness and posterior curvature following 8 hours of miniscleral contact lens wear. METHODS: Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR; Oculus) was captured before, and immediately following, 8 hours of miniscleral contact lens wear for 15 young (mean age 22 ± 3 years), healthy participants with normal corneae. Natural diurnal variations were considered by measuring baseline corneal changes obtained on a separate control day without contact lens wear. RESULTS: Over the central 6 mm of the cornea, a small but highly statistically significant amount of edema was observed following 8 hours of miniscleral lens wear, after accounting for normal diurnal fluctuations (mean ± standard deviation percentage swelling 1.70 ± 0.98%, p < 0.0001). Posterior corneal topography remained stable following lens wear (-0.01 ± 0.07 mm steepening over the central 6 mm, p = 0.60). The magnitude of posterior corneal topographical changes following lens wear did not correlate with the extent of lens-related corneal edema (r = -0.16, p = 0.57). Similarly, the initial central corneal vault (maximum post-lens tear layer depth) was not associated with corneal swelling following lens removal (r = 0.27, p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Although a small amount of corneal swelling was induced following 8 hours of miniscleral lens wear (on average <2%), modern high Dk miniscleral contact lenses that vault the cornea do not induce clinically significant corneal edema or hypoxic-related posterior corneal curvature changes during short-term wear. Longer-term studies of compromised eyes (e.g. corneal ectasia) are still required to inform the optimum lens and fitting characteristics for safe scleral lens wear to minimize corneal hypoxia.

Details

Title: Hypoxic Corneal Changes following Eight Hours of Scleral Contact Lens Wear
Authors: Stephen J Vincent (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
David Alonso-Caneiro (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Michael J Collins (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Alison Beanland (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Linda Lam (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Ching Chong Lim (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Alyssa Loke (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Nhi Nguyen (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Optometry and Vision Science, Vol.93(3), pp.293-299
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000803
ISSN: 1538-9235
PMID: 26760584
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99972395802621
Output Type: Journal article