High rate of complications, disease found in ‘asymptomatic’ contact lens wearers

Issue: January 2019 2019

SAN ANTONIO – More than 82% of asymptomatic, successful soft contact lens wearers were found to have some type of complication, according to a poster presented here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Researchers evaluated 200 patients who visited two different sites for soft contact lens renewal exams.

According to the study abstract, the patients were between 16 and 69 years old, there were more women than men, and their range of spherical equivalence was +7.75 D to -16.50 D. They were included in the study only if they had no complaints and had a history of successful disposable soft lens wear for at least 1 year.

More than 82% of the patients had some form of complications that were previously undiagnosed, author Elaine Chen, OD, told Primary Care Optometry News. She said 63% had something in one or more categories; 43% were contact lens-driven.

The researchers noted in the poster that 6% showed signs of previously undiagnosed systemic disease.

“A striking ocular health and contact lens complication rate in subjectively asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers is demonstrated across two different study sites,” the authors wrote. “Data strongly suggests that contact lens wearers should be regularly professionally examined, even if patients are asymptomatic.”

Chen told PCON, “It supports what we as optometrists know: Our annual exams are important, and educating patients is important. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Chen E, et al. Complications and disease diagnosed during soft contact lens “renewal exams” in a cohort of asymptomatic “successful” wearers. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry meeting; San Antonio; Nov. 7-10, 2018.

Disclosures: The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.