Corneal biomechanical properties after soft contact lens wear measured on a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer: A before and after study

Abstract

Objectives. - To evaluate the corneal biomechanics before and after daily use of contact lenses (CLs), measured by Scheimpflug-based devices. Methods. - This prospective clinical study includes participants who were scheduled to use CLs daily for refractive error. The biomechanical parameters were measured by the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (Corvis ST) before and one month after using the soft CLs. Results. - Twenty-three subjects (46 eyes), including 16 female (76.2) with a mean age of 28 +/- 7.29 years, were enrolled. There was no significant difference among biomechanical factors measured before and after contact lens wear (P > 0.05). Using regression analysis of the biomechanical markers, we found a statistically significant association between second applanation length (A2 length) (P = 0.001), highest concavity radius (HCR) (P = 0.05), deflection amplitude ratio (DAratio) (P = 0.05) and integrated radius (P < 0.001) with age. Regarding spherical equivalent, we found a statistically significant association between central corneal thickness (CCT) (P = 0.05), A2 length (P = 0.03) and stiffness parameter at first applanation (SPA1) (P = 0.02). Conclusions. - We did not find a significant difference in terms of corneal biomechanical parameters between baseline and month 1; but regression analyses showed a statistically significant association between A2 length, HCR, DA ratio, integrated radius, CCT and SPA1 and certain subject characteristics. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.