Contact lens intolerance in association with epithelial dystrophy.

Refractile changes in corneal transparency that are associated with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy have been detected in contact lens wearers who show a wide range of contact lens tolerance. In some of these cases, contact lens wear precipitates an episode of recurrent epithelial erosion. In other cases excellent contact lens tolerance is observed. The cases described indicate that pure bleb forms of epithelial basement membrane dystrophy may not be of benign significance when contact lenses are worn.