Study: Most complications occur within 90 days of lotrafilcon A contact lens use

Most complications related to continual use of lotrafilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lenses occur during the initial 3 months of lens wear, a study found.

Peter Donshik, MD, and colleagues investigated the prevalence of ocular complications related to up to 30 days of continual use of such contact lenses over 3 years. The study involved 19 centers and enrolled 317 patients, 286 of whom were current lens wearers.

Investigators identified 27 lens-related adverse events, which occurred during the first year of use in 15 eyes, during the second year in seven eyes and during the third year in five eyes. They also identified lens-related inflammatory events in 12 eyes during the first year of lens use and in 10 eyes during the second and third years, according to the study.

One-third of the inflammatory events occurred during the first 3 months of lens use, the authors noted.

Two patients exited the study because of adverse events. However, no patients experienced microbial keratitis, they reported.

"Although clinicians should understand the likelihood of adverse inflammatory and mechanical events and their possible recurrence, the rate of these events may be lower in practice than previously reported," the authors said.

The study is published in the July issue of Eye & Contact Lens.