title: Contact lenses affect corneal stromal pH.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Morton D. Sarver Laboratory for Corneal and Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Polse
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fatt
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010100:Oxygen