Conjunctival epithelial flap in continuous contact lens wear.
OBJECTIVE
Composed of sheets of cells detached from the underlying conjunctiva, conjunctival epithelial flap (CEF) is a recently reported phenomenon associated with contact lens wear with potential consequences for ocular health. Although CEF is generally asymptomatic, it is not known to what extent it might increase the longer-term risk of discomfort, inflammatory response, or infection. In this study, we use survival analysis methods to obtain unbiased estimates of the probability of developing CEF, the mean survival time free of CEF, and the effects of age, gender, ethnicity, and contact lens type.


METHODS
Two hundred four subjects were recruited for a continuous wear (CW) study of silicone hydrogel (SiH) and gas permeable (GP) contact lenses. Subjects were examined by optometrists throughout contact lens adaptation and CW periods. Statistical methods included the Kaplan-Meier nonparametric estimator of the survival function and the Cox proportional hazards model for estimating the relative effects of covariates.


RESULTS
Of the 204 subjects, 72 (35%) developed CEF. In 64% of cases, CEFs were observed bilaterally. The majority of cases (90.3%) presented with CEF in the superior conjunctiva. Mean survival time free of CEF was longer for GP lenses (94.3 days) than for SiH lenses (76.5 days), and the probability of developing CEF was significantly greater for SiH lenses (p = 0.002). Although there was some evidence that women and non-Asians remain free of CEF longer, the effects of age, gender, and ethnicity were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significantly increased risk of CEF in subjects wearing SiH lenses, compared with GP lenses. Subjects wearing SiH lenses remained free of CEF for a shorter time on average. Further study is needed to determine whether the increased incidence of CEF in CW with SiH lenses poses an increased risk of adverse ocular response or infection.
Graham
Andrew D
AD
FAAO Clinical Research Center, School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-2020, USA.
Truong
Tan N
TN
Lin
Meng C
MC
D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D015994:Incidence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D005740:Gases; D012828:Silicones; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate