Hydrophilic contact lenses in corneal disorders.

Hydrophilic 'bandage' lenses were fitted in 107 patients with corneal disorders not satisfactorily responding to conventional medical treatment. An over-all beneficial effect on both ocular discomfort, visual acuity and corneal disorder was found (P less than 0.002). Regarding each group separately only patients with bullous keratopathy and those with corneal ulcers achieved a significant reduction of ocular discomfort (P less than 0.002) and a significant improvement of visual acuity (P less than 0.05 - P less than 0.01). In bullous keratopathy corneal oedema was significantly reduced by concomitant use of contact lenses and 5% NaCl eye drops (P less than 0.01). Significant improvement of corneal disorder occurred in patients with corneal ulcers and in those with corneal lacerations (P less than 0.002 and P less than 0.01, respectively). Complications included corneal vascularization (7.5%) and keratitis/keratoconjunctivitis (5.6%). Prophylactic use of topical antibiotics appeared necessary only in dry eye disease.