The present study evaluated the changes in tear film, cornea and ocular surface according to the duration of soft contact lens wear.

A total 65 patients with 130 eyes were enrolled the present study, and were divided into 4 grous. The control group (group A) was composed of 32 eyes of 16 patients who had not worn soft contact lenses, group B, (34 eyes of 17 patients), had worn soft contact lenses less than 5 years, group C, (32 eyes of 16 patients), had worn soft contact lenses for 5 to 10 years and group D, (32 eyes of 16 patients), had worn soft contact lenses for more than 10 years. The tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer's test, corneal sensitivity test, central corneal thickness, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), corneal fluorescein staining score, specular microscopy and conjunctival impression cytology were analyzed. The results were compared between the control group and the soft contact lens groups.

In group B, BUT significantly decreased, but corneal fluorescein staining score and squamous metaplasia significantly increased ( p < 0.05). In group C, OSDI and snake-like chromatin pattern significantly increased, but corneal thickness and goblet cell density significantly decreased ( p < 0.05). In group D, the coefficient of variation for endothelium significantly increased, but corneal sensitivity and hexagonality significantly decreased ( p < 0.05).

Duration of soft contact lens wear influences changes in tear film, cornea and ocular surface.