Effects of rigid high gas-permeable contact lens wear on progression in patient with keratoconus

Abstract

Wearing Rigid High Gas-Permeable Contact Lens (RGPCL) is a primary method of vision rehabilitation in keratoconus eyes. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of using RGPCL on the topographical variations at the keratoconus progress. All patients had undergone ophthalmic examination including corneal topography, and their medical history and keratoconus characteristics were documented. Fifty-one eyes of those who wore RGPCL without any problems and 42 eyes of those who did not wear any lenses were evaluated retrospectively. It was accepted that the follow-up period was terminated when patients received any treatment or change lenses. The mean follow-ups were 36.5±12.7 and 38.4±14.6 months in the control and lens-wearing samples, respectively. The changes in topographic indices were compared from the baseline to the final visit. The difference between spectacle-best corrected visual acuity was not significant in both groups from baseline to final visit (p>0.05). In the RGPCL wearing group, apical keratometric power ( Kmax ) increased from mean 51.86±3.70 diopter (D) to 52.54±3.85 D at the sagittal map in the following period, but this difference was not significant (p>0.05). Similarly, in the control group, Kmax increased from mean 52.14±2.51 D to 52.94±3.02 D, and this difference was not significant (p>0.05). Lens-wearing and control group mean keratometry values increased from 47.36±1.7 D and 47.17±1.65 D to 47.94±2.05 D and 47.74±1.76 D, respectively (p>0.05). Pachymetry at the thinnest corneal point decreased significantly in both groups from baseline to final visit (p=0.008, p=0.01). In conclusion, the comfortable usage of RGPCL has no effect on the progression of keratoconus.