Scanning electron microscopy of corneal epithelium in soft contact lens wearers.
OBJECTIVE
To use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess differences in corneal epithelium features between soft contact lens (CL) wearers and non-CL wear control.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional survey, the corneal epithelium removed before photorefractive keratectomy in 10 soft CL wearers (10 eyes) and in 10 non-CL wearers (10 eyes) was evaluated with SEM. The aim of the study was to assess ultrastructural differences in corneal epithelium between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference was present between the 2 groups as concerns the number of microvilli (P = 0.19). An amount of epithelial mucus >20% was detected in 20% of soft CL wearers and in 80% of non-CL wearers (P = 0.01). A good tolerance to CL was referred by CL wearers.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant reduction of epithelial mucus at SEM evaluation was present in the CL wearers even in absence of complaints referred to CL.
Forte
Raimondo
R
Eye Department, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. raifor@hotmail.com
Cennamo
Gilda
G
Del Prete
Salvatore
S
Cesarano
Ida
I
Del Prete
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult