Longitudinal evaluation of corneal stability and tear film changes in first-time soft-contact lens wearers


Arslan N., BARMAN KAKİL Ş., Aydogdu B., Telek H. H.

ARQUIVOS BRASILEIROS DE OFTALMOLOGIA, cilt.88, sa.6, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 88 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5935/0004-2749.2025-0118
  • Dergi Adı: ARQUIVOS BRASILEIROS DE OFTALMOLOGIA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: Using advanced imaging techniques, this study aimed to evaluate corneal stability, epithelial remodeling , tear film changes over a one-year period in first-time soft-contact lens wearers. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 eyes of 50 first-time daily soft-contact lens users aged 21-65 years with no prior rigid gas-permeable lens wear. The Sirius Scheimpflug imaging system was used to assess corneal topography, epithelial thickness, , non-invasive tear break-up time at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Corneal warpage was evaluated using symmetry indices and Baiocchi Calossi Versaci indices. We performed statistical analysis using repeated-measures analyses of variance with Greenhouse- Geisser correction. Results: The mean baseline central corneal thickness was 537.83 (+/- 7.92) mu m, with no significant thinning after one year. The average simulated keratometry values remained stable, indicating no progressive corneal steepening or flattening. There were no significant changes in warpage indices over time, suggesting corneal shape preservation. Higher-order aberrations (coma, trefoil, and spherical aberrations) and non-invasive tear break-up time remained unchanged throughout the study period. Conclusions: Modern silicone hydrogel soft-contact lenses do not induce significant corneal warpage, epithelial remodeling, or optical aberrations over a one-year period. We found that corneal morphology and tear film stability were preserved, supporting the safety of soft-contact lens use. These findings provide clinically relevant insights into the long-term impact of contact lens wear. They may facilitate improved lens fitting strategies and preope- rative refractive surgery assessments.