# Longitudinal evaluation of corneal stability and tear film changes in first-time soft-contact lens wearers

## TL;DR

This study found that first-time soft-contact lens wearers experience no significant corneal or tear film changes over one year.

## Contribution

The study provides longitudinal evidence that modern silicone hydrogel lenses do not cause corneal warpage or tear film instability.

## Key findings

- Corneal thickness and shape remained stable over one year of soft-contact lens use.
- Higher-order optical aberrations and tear film stability were unchanged during the study period.
- No progressive corneal steepening or flattening was observed in participants.

## Abstract

Using advanced imaging techniques, this study aimed to evaluate corneal
stability, epithelial remodeling, and tear film changes over a one-year
period in first-time soft-contact lens wearers.

A retrospective study was conducted on 100 eyes of 50 first-time daily
soft-contact lens users aged 21–65 years with no prior rigid gas-permeable
lens wear. The Sirius Scheimpflug imaging system was used to assess corneal
topography, epithelial thickness, and non-invasive tear break-up time at
baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Corneal warpage was evaluated using symmetry
indices and Baiocchi Calossi Versaci indices. We performed statistical
analysis using repeated-measures analyses of variance with
Greenhouse-Geisser correction.

The mean baseline central corneal thickness was 537.83 (±7.92)
µm, with no significant thinning after one year. The average
simulated keratometry values remained stable, indicating no progressive
corneal steepening or flattening. There were no significant changes in
warpage indices over time, suggesting corneal shape preservation.
Higher-order aberrations (coma, trefoil, and spherical aberrations) and
non-invasive tear break-up time remained unchanged throughout the study
period.

Modern silicone hydrogel soft-contact lenses do not induce significant
corneal warpage, epithelial remodeling, or optical aberrations over a
one-year period. We found that corneal morphology and tear film stability
were preserved, supporting the safety of soft-contact lens use. These
findings provide clinically relevant insights into the long-term impact of
contact lens wear. They may facilitate improved lens fitting strategies and
preope rative refractive surgery assessments.