Is contact lens induced corneal oedema inflammatory?

Abstract

The development of corneal oedema during hydrogel contact lens wear is well documented; however, the magnitude of lens-induced swelling cannot be completely explained in terms of a response to hypoxia. This paper examines whether there may, in addition to other factors, be an inflammatory component in the aetiology of contact lens induced corneal oedema. A hypothesis is advanced – that hypoxia induced by a contact lens stimulates the release of prostaglandins from the cornea, which interfere with endothelial control of corneal hydration, resulting in corneal oedema. This hypothesis was tested by studying the effects of the prostaglandin-inhibitor naproxen on contact lens induced corneal oedema. Naproxen was found to have no measurable effect. The clinical and physiological implications of this result are discussed.