Epithelial wounds 7.5 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in depth were made with a trephine in both eyes of 24 rabbits. The right eyes were left uncovered and soft contact lenses were placed on the left eyes. Two types of lenses were used, Type A lenses (39% water) and Type B lenses, (58% water). Healing was studied by SEM at 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours. Uncovered eyes in all animals showed signs of epithelial cell migration beginning at 16 hours. Eyes covered with Type A lenses showed no signs of epithelial cell migration at any time period. Eyes covered with Type B lenses showed signs of epithelial cell migration beginning at 16 hours. Lenses containing 39% water with a low 02 transmissibility (8.9 X 10-11 DK/L) correlate with inhibition of cell migration, while lenses containing 58% water with a high 02 transmissibility (4.3 x 10-9 DK/L) do not