title: The effects of extended-wear hydrophilic contact lenses on the human corneal epithelium.
abstract: We used wide-field color specular microscopy of the human corneal surface to study the morphologic changes that occur under extended-wear contact lenses. There was a shift in the frequency distribution of surface cells by size to larger cells, suggesting a prolonged residence time on the ocular surface. Other abnormalities included retained desiccated mucin, coarse mucus plaques, and palisading of cells.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lemp
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000628:therapy; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000628:therapy