Effect of contact lens wear on central corneal thickness measurements.
OBJECTIVE
To compare central corneal thickness measurements as a function of contact lens wear in patients presenting for refractive surgery.


METHODS
Gimbel Eye Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.


METHODS
A retrospective study of charts yielded 634 eyes meeting the inclusion criterion. Pachymetry measurements of spectacle-wearing control eyes were compared to those of full-time soft contact lens wearers and rigid gas-permeable contact lens wearers. All measurements were taken with the DGH ultrasonic pachymeter by a single observer.


RESULTS
Soft contact lens wearers had a mean reduction in corneal thickness measurements of 22 micrometers compared to the control population (P =.00001). Rigid gas-permeable lens wearers had a reduction of 24 micrometers compared to the control population (P =.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a clinically significant reduction in corneal thickness measurements associated with full-time contact lens wear.
Braun
Dennis A
DA
Gimbel Eye Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Anderson Penno
Ellen E
EE
D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects; D019781:Corneal Topography; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies