The Protective Effects of Soft Contact Lenses for Contact Sports: A Novel Porcine Model for Corneal Abrasion Biomechanics.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether soft contact lenses provide protection for the corneal surface. Fresh porcine eyes were inflated to intraocular pressures of 11 to 22 mm Hg and secured to a Styrofoam head. Newton meters affixed with artificial acrylic nails were placed at angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° from a porcine corneal surface. The force of impact was recorded at which corneal abrasions were induced. The experiment was repeated with Senofilcon A and Lotrafilcon A soft contact lenses placed upon porcine eyes. The mean forces required to induce a corneal abrasion with force at 0°, 45°, and 90° from corneal surface were 11±5.09, 9.18±2.76, and 7.72±2.61 Newtons, respectively. With soft contact lens barrier, the maximum measurable force of 50 Newtons could not produce a corneal abrasion. The force required to create corneal abrasions varies depending on the angle of the force vector. The use of contact lenses can withstand a minimum of five times the average force needed to create corneal abrasions.