[Effects of contact lens wear on the corneal endothelium and sensitivity].

The corneal endothelium of 38 contact lens wearers (74 eyes) and 74 normal eyes for control was photographed and analyzed with specular microscopy and the graphic processing system. The central corneal sensitivity and thickness were also measured. The results showed that the frequency rate of hexagonal cells that reflected the changes in endothelial cell morphology and size, the coefficient of variation of cell area, and the ratio of largest to smallest cell areas differed significantly from those of the control eyes comparable in age and sex distribution. The central corneal sensitivity declined while the corneal thickness was not affected. The causes and clinical significance of endothelial changes were discussed.