Therapeutic use of a silicone hydrogel contact lens in selected clinical cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a silicone hydrogel contact lens as a continuous-wear bandage in selected clinical cases, a prospective, open, nonrandomized clinical study was conducted.

METHODS

Seventy eyes from 70 patients with anterior segment conditions for which therapeutic lenses were indicated were enrolled in the study. In most patients (47 eyes, 67%), the presenting condition was bullous keratopathy. Patients were fitted with a lotrafilcon A silicone hydrogel lens (Focus Night & Day) that was worn continuously for 7 to 30 days, and the concomitant therapies were used. The corneal condition was assessed, and subjective comfort was recorded for 7 days to 18 months after fitting (mean follow-up, 69 days).

RESULTS

Of 70 eyes, 64 (91%) showed improvement in the clinical condition of the eye, and 66 (94%) rated comfort when wearing the lens as very good or good.

CONCLUSIONS

The study lens was found to be an effective and well-tolerated bandage lens in these selected patients.