VARIATIONS IN CORNEAL SENSITIVITY WITH HYDROGEL CONTACT-LENS

Changes in corneal sensitivity were studied in two groups of healthy s ubjects who wore hydrogel contact lenses: 44 persons whose lenses cont ained 38% water, and 23 who wore lenses of 55% water content. Corneal sensitivity decreased in both groups during the first 8 h following in sertion; the decrease was more marked in the group who wore 38% water lenses. Changes in corneal tactile sensitivity were greater in women t han in men, arid determinations in different corneal zones showed that the central zone was less affected in sensitivity than any of the per ipheral zones. After lenses were removed, tactile sensitivity showed f ull recovery within 4 h.