Contact lens and ocular surface ‐ After all, its still a foreign body

Abstract

SummaryContact lenses, as indicated by the name, are in direct contact with the ocular surface. CL are swimming within the tear film, between eye ball & palpebral conjunctiva ‐ in the middle of the Ocular Surface Unit. Interactions thus have direct impact on tear film & tissues with the risk of potential side effects (for details please see: WWW.OSCB‐BERLIN.ORG).One main impact is increased mechanical friction by the ′additional structure′. Friction increases during eye movements and blinks when the lid border moves over the contact lens rim and along its anterior lens surface. Limited diffusion of nutritients can occur through the lens, particularly the supply with oxygen is critical for the cornea that depends on gas diffusion – Modern materials have meanwhile decreased this risk. Chemical impacts occur by the lens material or by solutions for lens cleaning & storing.