Craig, JPSherwin, TGrupcheva, CNMcGhee, CNJSullivan, DAStern, METsubota, KDartt, DASullivan, RMBromberg, BB2024-08-112024-08-112002(2002). Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 506 (pt. B)(Pt B), 917-923.0065-2598https://hdl.handle.net/2292/69590Conventional hydrogel contact lenses worn on an extended wear basis can cause many adverse responses,1-3 which can be described as non-significant, significant and sight-threatening. Non-significant findings, such as asymptomatic infiltrative keratitis (AIK), occur almost as frequently in spectacle wearers.4 Significant, specific symptomatic responses include contact lens acute red eye (CLARE), contact lens peripheral ulcer (CLPU), infiltrative keratitis (1K), superior epithelial arcuate lesion (SEAL) and contact lens papillary conjunctivitis (CLPC). The most serious and sight-threatening response is microbial keratitis (MK).3 A risk of developing MK exists for any contact lens wearer, but with conventional extended wear soft lenses, this risk increases 10-20 times when compared to rigid gas permeable lenses. The increased level of corneal hypoxia in the closed eye situation, in the presence of a soft contact lens, may play an important role in the development of MK.2.5The stressed superficial cells may desquamate prematurely, leaving microscopic gaps on the corneal surface and providing a route of entry for infection. 6.7 This is of particular concern in the case of continuous lens wear, in which the corneal epithelium may never fully recover from repeated hypoxia.PrintItems in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htmHumansSiliconesMucinsMicroscopy, ConfocalProspective StudiesContact LensesAdultFemaleMaleHydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences3212 Ophthalmology and OptometryEye Disease and Disorders of VisionBioengineeringAssistive TechnologyEyeScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineMedicine, Research & ExperimentalOphthalmologyResearch & Experimental MedicineOXYGEN PERMEABILITYKERATITIS11 Medical and Health Sciences31 Biological sciencesJournal Article10.1007/978-1-4615-0717-8_1282024-07-29Copyright: Kluwer Academic12614010 (pubmed)http://purl.org/eprint/accessRights/RetrictedAccess2214-8019