Extended Wear Lenses

• Contact lens use is one identified risk factor for the development of corneal infiltrates
• Evidence shows continuous wear of contact lenses increases the risk of ocular complications
• However, it is not the primary cause of corneal infiltrates; rather, it is simply one of several contributors
• Other risk factors for corneal infiltrate development in CW contact lens patients include
•     age (i.e., between 18 and 29 years)
•     history of smoking, corneal scarring, contact lens acute red eye or corneal infiltrates

• Of the different corneal infiltrate types, microbial keratitis is the most severe complication of CL wear
• In the 1980s and 1990s, risk of MK was found to be:
•     4 cases per 10,000 lens wearers per year for daily wear
•     20 cases per 10,000 wearers per year for extended wear
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been identified as the most common bacterial source of MK in CL wearers.

EW lenses must be issued to firefighters and is advisable to many areas within the armed forces.

Licencing

Opteyes ~ 30 nights   Dispose after 1/12

Aquayes ~ 30 nights  Dispose after 1/12

Irisian ~ 6 nights / 7 days  Dispose after 1/12

Oasys ~ 6 nights / 7 days  Dispose after 1/52