Effect on contact lens use on the shape of the cornea
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of contact lens use on the shape of the cornea
IRAS ID
198426
Contact name
Colin Goudie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian Research and Development Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Corneal curvature and shape affect the focussing power of the eye. Prior to cataract surgery the shape and curvature of the cornea are measured so that the most accurate artificial focussing lens implant can be chosen. Contact lens use alters the shape of the cornea and there is no consistent evidence in the literature to suggest how long it takes for the shape of the cornea to return to normal after lenses are removed. Current guidance on when to remove contact lenses varies between hospital units from a few days to a few months. Our study will be of clinical significance because it will allow for the development of evidence based guidance about when patients should remove their contact lenses prior to their pre-operature assessment for cataract surgery.
We will recruit healthy contact lens wearers with no history of corneal problems. They will use their contact lenses normally before having initial biometry and optomap measurements taken. These are non-invasive measurements that are performed in the outpatient clinic setting. These measurements will repeated every 2 days until there is no difference between visits. Participants will be required to avoid contact lens use until their involvement in the study is complete. It is expected that for soft contact lens users corneal shape will normalise after 3-5 days.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0135
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion