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High Dk silicone lenses are first lens choice, but still not perfect
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SAN DIEGO — Speaking here on contact lens safety, the president of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists endorsed high Dk silicone lenses as becoming the lens of choice.
William H. Ehlers, MD, showed the rates of microbial keratitis with conventional extended wear contact lenses, which were the worst offenders, daily disposable contact lenses, which were the best among traditional choices, and high Dk silicone lenses, which were demonstrated to be safer than all other choices.
"Perfection does not exist," he explained, but there are now numerous studies beginning to confirm that these newer lenses appear to be the safest option when it comes to microbial keratitis.
Still, Dr. Ehlers said, extended wear of any contact lens puts the patient at some risk for infection.
"As the replacement interval increases, so does the complication rate," he said. "You create a subclinical state of inflammation" with extended overnight wear, he added.
Yet, with 36 to 38 million contact lens wearers, Dr. Ehlers reminded his colleagues that these lenses are consumer products and physicians must work to satisfy patient needs.
"They want it to be a healthy choice," he said. "High Dk silicone lenses are becoming our lens of choice."