Contact Lenses Affect Corneal Stromal pH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that corneal acidosis may alter corneal structure and function. We determined whether the range of oxygen transmissibility (Dk/L) provided by a hydrogel lens could affect corneal stromal pH. Stromal pH was measured using a noninvasive fluorometric technique under both open- and closed-eye conditions on subjects who wore hydrogel lenses made of the same material but with different lens powers. Under closed-eye lens wearing conditions, central stromal pH was reduced substantially and there was no relation between degree of acidosis and lens Dk/L. Under open-eye lens wearing conditions, central stromal pH was also reduced but the degree of acidosis was dependent on lens Dk/L. These results suggest extended wear of hydrogel lenses can produce marked decreases in stromal pH which could remain reduced even after the eyes are opened.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: