Can myopia be influenced by the wearing of contact lenses?
Kemmetmüller, H.
Klinische Monatsblatter für Augenheilkunde 168(1): 10-23
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-2165 PMID: 979024 Document Number: 98238
During 15 years the author has had the occasion to examine 11,454 spectacle wearing patients and 6,794 contact lens-wearing patients. In the age-group 15 to 25 years the contact lens-wearing patients manifested in 60% of the cases stationary myopia, whereas the spectacle-wearing patients in the same period manifested an increase of myopia in 75% of the cases. For a comparison in each patients visual acuity with and later without contact lens was determined, refraction performed and a slit lamp examination realized with and without contact lens. Determination of axial length of the eyes with the aid of ultrasonography could not be performed. The result of this analysis is compared with the results of other authors who have delt with the same problem. The author tries to give an explanation for the distinctly reduced increase of myopia in patients with contact lenses compared with those wearing glasses.