The effect of peripherally fenestrated contact lenses on corneal edema.

To determine the effect of peripherally fenestrated contact lenses on central corneal edema, 6 subjects (12 eyes) wore steeply fitted lenses of identical dimensions but with various numbers of 0.1-mm diameter peripheral fenestrations for 3-hr periods. At the end of the wearing periods, thickening, steepening, and central clouding of the cornea were generally reduced as the number of fenestrations was increased. However, 20 fenestrations were required before the edema was reduced to a clinically acceptable level.