Effect of Long-Term Soft Contact Lens Wear on Corneal and RNFL Parameters Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography

Asad Ullah; Eisha Fiaz; Mariam Sana Ullah; Amber Saeed; Muhammad Ishfaq; Sana Sharif; Aqsa Batool

doi:10.61919/j6db3e46

Authors

Asad Ullah Timergara Teaching Hospital, Timergara, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8714-7915
Eisha Fiaz Clinical Optometrist, Department of Optometry, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan Author
Mariam Sana Ullah Course Coordinator/Senior Lecturer, Munawar Memorial Hospital and College of Optometry, Chakwal, Pakistan Author
Amber Saeed Optometrist/Masters by Research Scholar, University of Gloucestershire, The Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 2RH, United Kingdom Author
Muhammad Ishfaq Optometrist, Diagnostic Department, Sahiwal Eye Care, Farid Town Sahiwal, Pakistan Author
Sana Sharif Optometrist, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Aqsa Batool Optometrist, Department of Ophthalmology, South City Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/j6db3e46

Keywords:

Contact lenses; Optical coherence tomography; RNFL thickness; Corneal thickness; Dry eye; Ocular surface.

Abstract

Background: Long-term soft contact lens wear is associated with ocular surface alterations and corneal changes; however, its relationship with posterior segment parameters, particularly retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography, remains insufficiently understood. Objective: To evaluate the impact of long-term soft contact lens wear on ocular surface parameters, central corneal thickness, and OCT-derived RNFL measurements, and to assess potential associations between RNFL thickness and clinical variables. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 200 myopic adults divided into 100 long-term contact lens users and 100 non-wearers. All participants underwent tear break-up time, Schirmer test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index assessment, along with OCT measurement of central corneal thickness and RNFL thickness. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, while Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses assessed associations. Results: Contact lens users demonstrated significantly reduced tear break-up time (7.28 ± 2.18 vs 11.00 ± 2.14 seconds), lower Schirmer scores (13.06 ± 4.12 vs 18.08 ± 5.17 mm), and higher OSDI scores (29.38 ± 10.10 vs 14.40 ± 6.99) (all p < 0.001). Central corneal thickness was also lower (518.11 ± 20.15 vs 536.49 ± 17.77 µm, p < 0.001). Average RNFL thickness was reduced in contact lens users (95.85 ± 7.85 vs 100.01 ± 8.18 µm, p < 0.001), with similar reductions across all quadrants. No significant correlations were observed between RNFL thickness and duration of lens wear or ocular surface parameters. Conclusion: Long-term soft contact lens wear is associated with significant ocular surface compromise and corneal thinning, alongside modest reductions in OCT-derived RNFL measurements that are not explained by exposure duration or surface parameters, suggesting potential influence of confounding factors.

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