Effect of lens wear on corneal stroma: preliminary findings.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to measure the effects of long-term extended wear of hydrogel lenses.


METHODS
Nine subjects wearing disposable hydrogel lenses and age- and sex-matched non-lens-wearing control subjects were enrolled. Using confocal microscopy, stromal keratocyte cell densities were measured.


RESULTS
Anterior stromal keratocyte density was reduced in the lens-wearing group (544+/-206 cells/mm2) compared to the non-lens-wearing group (804+/-145 cells/mm2) (P < 0.01). Posterior stromal keratocyte density was lower in the lens-wearing group (514+/-111 cells/mm2) than in the control group (628+/-101 cells/mm2) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings indicate that extended wear of hydrogel lenses reduces stromal keratocyte density. The mechanisms for this alteration may include hypoxic, cytokine-mediated or mechanical effects.
Jalbert
I
I
Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, School of Optometry and Co-operative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. i.jalbert@cclru.unsw.edu.au
Stapleton
F
F
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012016:Reference Values
D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate