Rivera R, Gan C, Polse K, Bonanno J, Fatt I
Morton D. Sarver Laboratory for Corneal and Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley.
Optom Vis Sci. 1993 Dec;70(12):991-7. doi: 10.1097/00006324-199312000-00001.
Recent studies suggest that corneal acidosis may alter corneal structure and function. We determined whether the range of oxygen transmissibility (Dk/L) provided by a hydrogel lens could affect corneal stromal pH. Stromal pH was measured using a noninvasive fluorometric technique under both open- and closed-eye conditions on subjects who wore hydrogel lenses made of the same material but with different lens powers. Under closed-eye lens wearing conditions, central stromal pH was reduced substantially and there was no relation between degree of acidosis and lens Dk/L. Under open-eye lens wearing conditions, central stromal pH was also reduced but the degree of acidosis was dependent on lens Dk/L. These results suggest extended wear of hydrogel lenses can produce marked decreases in stromal pH which could remain reduced even after the eyes are opened.
