Asymptomatic Ocular Changes among Long Term Contact Lens Users

The purpose of this was to determine asymptomatic adverse ocular changes among long term contact lens users. It was a cross-sectional study and convenient sampling was used to collect the sample of 100 contact lens users. This study was conducted in 4 months from 05-04-2016 to 05-08-2016 and sample was recruited from Madinah Teaching Hospital Faisalabad, E Plomer Optics and Punjab Optics Lahore. Tear film break up time (TBUT) and corneal changes were determined by using slit lamp and blink rate was recorded by direct observation and counting. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was reported for variables. Results showed that 67% of contact lens users were females, 54% used soft contact lenses and 96% were myopic. Mean age of contact lens users was 30.10 ± 7.86 years. Mean daily wearing time of contact lenses was 9.82 ± 2.19 hours/day. Mean value of years of contact lens use was 8.35 ± 5.81 years. Normal range of blink rate was present in only 6 % of subjects and mean value was 26.14±6.94 blinks/minutes. 67% of subjects had abnormal TBUT and mean value was 9.14±2.89 sec. 58% of contact lens users were presented with one or more corneal changes. It was concluded that u n-monitored, long term use of contact lenses caused many adverse ocular changes among asymptomatic contact lens users. So regular follow-up exams are necessary for contact lens users to maintain good ocular health.