Effects of scleral-lens oxygen transmissibility on corneal thickness: A pilot study

PurposeTo investigate the effect of various oxygen transmissibilities (Dk/t) of scleral lenses and corneal thickness recovery time from overnight eye closure with patching on corneal edema during 5 h lens wear.MethodsScleral lenses (hofocon A, 15.6 mm diameter) were worn bilaterally with three different Dks (100, 140, and 160 Barrer). Central and peripheral corneal thickness (CCT and PCT) were measured using optical coherence tomography. Four subjects were randomly selected for one additional visit and asked to patch one eye before night sleeping. The patch was not removed until lens insertion to avoid corneal deswelling. Then CCT of both eyes was measured.ResultsTen neophytes with healthy eyes participated in the study. Mean [95% CI] Dk/t of the study lenses was 32.0 [29.2, 34.7] hBarrer/cm. Mean [95% CI] CCT immediately upon lens insertion and after 5 h of lens wear were 532.4 [520.3, 544.5] μm and 538.7 [526.5, 551.0] μm, respectively. Mean [95% CI] percentage change (%Δ) in CCT was 1.2% [0.9%, 1.5%], 1.2% [0.9%, 1.4%], and 0.8% [0.6%, 1.1%] for CCT, nasal PCT, and temporal PCT, respectively. There was an inverse relationship between temporal Dk/t and %ΔPCT (p