Retrospective Trial of Daily Wear Contact Lenses in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated increased complications from extended-wear contact lenses in diabetic patients. The purpose of the present study was to determine if increased complications exist among diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetics who wear soft contact lenses for daily wear. Methods: Complications among daily wear contact lens wearers who have worn soft contact lenses for 1 year or more were reported from a retrospective review of records. One-half (254) diabetic eyes and one-half (254) non-diabetic control eyes from 6 clinical practices were compared using Chi square and exact Wilcoxon analyses as appropriate. Results: The incidence of complications was 21.7% among diabetic eyes and 16.9% among controls. Corneal abrasions were encountered in 7.9% of the diabetic eyes and 5.9% of the controls. Corneal staining was observed in 3.2% of diabetic eyes and 5.5% of the controls. Pain while wearing a contact lens was experienced at some time in 16.9% of the diabetic eyes and 19.3% of the controls.: No significant difference in overall complications , corneal abrasions, corneal staining or experience of pain were found between daily wear diabetic contact lens wearers and controls. Conclusion: Diabetics showed no increased complications over non-diabetics for daily wear soft contact lens wear.

Keywords: contact lens • diabetes • cornea: epithelium