Corneal hypoxia secondary to contact lenses: the effect of high-Dk lenses.
Contact lenses made from materials of low-oxygen permeability (Dk) do not meet the oxygen requirements of the cornea for overnight wear. Long-term extended wear of these lenses results in chronic changes to all layers of the cornea, many of which are associated with hypoxia. High-Dk silicone hydrogel and gas permeable lenses are now available for 30-night continuous wear. The high-oxygen transmissibilities of these lenses have enabled the development of a successful continuous wear modality by eliminating the hypoxic effects of long-term wear. Presently, the focus is on improving lens performance by developing lenses that are more biocompatible, provide greater comfort, and maintain a stable tear film without inflammatory or mechanically induced adverse events.
Stretton
Serina
S
Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit, School of Optometry, Sydney, Australia.
Jalbert
Isabelle
I
Sweeney
Deborah F
DF
D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology*; D010100:Oxygen; D010539:Permeability
D010100:Oxygen