Extended Wear Hydrogel Lenses: Long-Term Effectiveness and Costs

Harrison D Cavanagh, B. I. Bodner, L. A. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the period 1976-79, 1,201 of 1,552 aphakic patients were successfully fitted with third generation extended wear hydrogen lenses of thin-membrane design (CSI® lens) and highly hydrated polymer design (Permalens,® Sauflon®) without significant or permanent visual loss. Between 79% and 82% of the patients who failed did so in the first 90 days, and thereafter failure rates declined with time. Replacement rates for lenses approximated one lens per eye per year. Rates of required removal for cleaning varied. Ten to 13% of patients required cleaning at less than three-month intervals, and 5–6% at less than one month. For average patients with unilateral devices and no complications, extended wear lenses in Georgia are estimated to cost approximately three times as much as an intraocular lens over a 20-year follow-up period. General advantages of extended wear third generation lenses include: (1) an acceptably safe and visually effective way to correct aphakia when patients are carefully selected, fitted, educated, and followed; (2) can be easily removed, refitted or updated as technology advances; and (3) will not replace intraocular lenses, but can be used when implantation is contraindicated and should prevent the need for secondary or bilateral implantation or keratophakia in most cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)871-876
Number of pages6
JournalOphthalmology
Volume87
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980

Keywords

  • aphakia
  • extended wear contact lenses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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