Non-contact specular microscopic observation for early response of corneal endothelium after contact lens wear.

PURPOSE

Contact lenses induce short- and long-term corneal endothelial changes, including endothelial blebs. The endothelial bleb is a reversible, short-term response found on the corneal endothelium after lens wear. We used non-contact specular microscopy to observe endothelial blebs occurring with different types of contact lenses.

METHODS

We observed the time course, frequency, and location of endothelial blebs in 11 eyes of 9 contact lens wearing patients. Eight types of contact lenses with various oxygen transmissibilities (Dk/L) were used in the study.

RESULTS

Blebs were observed in the central cornea in patients with polymethylmethacrylate and rigid gas permeable contact lenses, while blebs in the central to mid-peripheral cornea were seen in patients wearing soft contact lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of blebs vary by individual patient, there appears to be an inverse correlation between the number of blebs and the Dk/L of the contact lens.