Half of Contact Lens Wearers Suffer Complications

Study says high contact lens related complications regardless of lens design, material, or wear…

A new UCLA study indicates half of contact lens wearers will experience a complication, some vision threatening.
The study used a cross-section analysis of the types and prevalence of contact lens related complications among  patients seen at  the Jules Stein Eye Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles.
Of the 572 patients in the study, approximately 50% had at least one contact lens related complication. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts had a statistically lower average number of complications than soft contacts. Papillae and giant papillary conjunctivitis were the most prevalent complications. Generic and private label solutions had the highest rate of complications compared with name brand solutions.
The conclusion of the authors of the study is that the prevalence of contact lens complications, regardless of lens design, material, or use, shows the importance of early detection and treatment.

The study is published in the July 2009 issue of Eye and Contact Lens: Science and Clinical Practice. The study’s lead author is Barry Weissman, OD, PhD, Professor of Optometry, and Director of Contact Lens Service at the Jules Stein Eye Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles.

Taken from: http://www.usaeyes.org