Abstract
Purpose
To compare the microstructure of the central keratoconic cornea in contact lens wearing
and non-contact lens wearing keratoconus subjects.
Methods
One hundred and one eyes of 56 keratoconic subjects were compared with control patients
who wear contact lenses (22 subjects) and controls who do not wear contact lenses
(40 subjects). The keratoconic subjects were assessed in 2 groups: the contact lens
wearing keratoconus group (37 patients, 64 eyes, 20 female and 17 male; Group 1) and
the keratoconus group comprising subjects who do not wear contact lenses (19 patients,
37 eyes, 9 female, 10 male; Group 2).
Results
The mean age was 33 ± 12 years in the contact lens wearer keratoconus group, 31 ± 12 years in the non-contact lens wearer keratoconus group, 34 ± 12 years in the non-contact lens wearing control group and 29 ± 10 years in the contact lens wearing control group. Mean basal epithelial cell density
was significantly lower in the contact lens wearer keratoconus group (p < 0.001) and in the non-contact lens wearer keratoconus group (p < 0.001) in comparison with controls. The anterior, intermediate and posterior keratocyte
densities were significantly lower in both contact lens wearer keratoconic subjects
(p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and non-contact lens wearer keratoconic subjects (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.004) as compared to controls. Endothelial cell density was not altered in keratoconic
patients.
Discussion
The decrease in basal epithelial cell density and in keratocyte density may highlight
the role of apoptosis in keratoconus. Endothelial cell density does not change in
keratoconus, but extensive variability in endothelial cell size and shape may be encountered.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 24, 2010
Footnotes
☆The authors reported no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned in this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
