Contact lens-induced regression of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE

To describe the use of soft contact lenses (CL) to reduce the epithelial opacities of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD). First presentation of confocal microscopy in LECD.

METHODS

Two unrelated female patients with LECD demonstrated a central gray opacity with distinct visual impairment. The first patient wore a daily hydroxyethlmethacrylate (HEMA) CL for 3 months and the second, a daily silicone hydrogel CL for 1 month. Pre-CL and post-CL appearances of the cornea were photodocumented at the slit lamp. Additionally, in the second patient, a confocal microscopic evaluation of LECD was performed.

RESULTS

In both patients, the wearing of CL resulted in a distinct reduction of central corneal opacification with a visual improvement. Discontinued wearing of CL induced again a progression of opacity. The confocal microscopy disclosed the typical intracytoplasmatic vacuolization of the involved epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Wearing CL for a longer duration causes a significant regression of corneal opacities in LECD. The etiology of this phenomenon is interpreted as a CL-induced thinning of corneal epithelium and reduction of epithelial layers.