CORNEAL DENSITOMETRY CHANGES IN CONTACT LENS WEARERS

Purpose: Our study aims at evaluating corneal densitometry values among subjects who use soft contact lenses regularly. Methods: Prospective, observational study with a total of 32 eyes of 16 subjects regularly use soft contact lenses (group 1) and 32 obtained from 16 participants who do not wear contact lenses as a control group (group 2) were enrolled in the study to evaluate corneal densitometry by the Scheimpflug corneal topography (Pentacam; Oculus Inc., Wetzlar, Germany). We divide the corneal area, totaling 12 mm, for densitometry studying into 4 annular regions (from 0 to 2, from 2 to 6, from 6 to 10, and from 10 to 12 mm), as well as 3 posterior, central, and anterior regions. Results: The mean duration of wearing soft contact lenses amounted to 6 ± 2.5 years in group 1. Regarding the values of corneal densitometry, they were dramatically higher in the anterior 0- to 2- and 2- to 6- and 6-10 mm in group 1 when making comparisons with group 2 (20.7 ± 1.55 concerning group 1 and 17.38 ± 0.63 concerning group 2 [P <0.001]; 20.08 ± 1.51 for group 1 and 16.88 ± 0.53 <0.001 for group 2 [P<0.001], respectively). They were 8.82 ± 1.12 for group 1 and 16.47 ± 0.48 for group 2 p <0.001 in 6- to 10- mm. The difference between the 2 groups in the values of densitometry at 10- to 12 mm was insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results concluded that the densitometry of the cornea could be higher in the central 0- to 10-mm of the anterior region. Corneal densitometry in persons who regularly wear contact lenses, although the cornea may remain transparent.