Extended-wear contact lenses for myopic correction

W. J. Stark and N. F. Martin

The long-term effects of an extended-wear contact lens (perfilcon A [Permalens]) for myopia were evaluated in 106 patients who had successfully worn the lens for four to eight years (median, 4.94 years). Visual acuity was 6/12 (20/40) or better in 95% of the 207 eyes fitted. Corneal neovascularization, when encountered (8.7%), was mild and did not reduce visual acuity. There were no cases of infectious corneal ulcer or scarring or of permanent visual loss from use of the lens. In selected patients, use of extended-wear lenses seems to be a reasonable form of optical correction of myopia, and they deserve further study. The use of these lenses is discussed as an alternative to the experimental procedure of radial keratotomy.