Corneal endothelial polymegethism and pleomorphism induced by daily-wear rigid gas-permeable contact lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there are any corneal endothelial cell size and shape changes (and the time course of these changes) in subjects wearing rigid high gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses for daily wear.


METHODS
Ninety-seven eyes of 57 new wearers were fitted with a fluoroperm contact lens material (Persecon92E, oxygen transmissibility (Dk)= 92 x 10(-11)). Prior to lens wear and after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, noncontact endothelial photographs were taken. Maximum cell size/Minimum cell size (Max/Min) was measured as an index of polymegethism and the relative frequency of 5-, 6-, and 7-sided cells was evaluated.


RESULTS
An increase in the ratio of Max/Min was present 1 week after lens fitting and increased further over the subsequent year. This study showed significant increase in endothelial polymegethism and in the relative frequency of 7-sided cells, but a significant decrease in the relative frequency of 6-sided cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily-wear high Dk gas-permeable contact lenses can cause endothelial polymegethism and pleomorphism similar to those caused by soft and hard contact lenses.
Esgin
Haluk
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Trakya University Medical School, Edirne, Turkey.
Erda
Nazan
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D048429:Cell Size; D002648:Child; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged