Which Lenses Stress the Surface? - Scorecard - MDSpire

Which Lenses Stress the Surface?

  • By

  • Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS

  • May 1, 2026

  • 3 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Which Lenses Stress the Surface?

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionDry Eye Disease (DED) and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) in Keratoconus (KC)
Key MechanismsAssociation between contact lens modality and ocular surface health
Target PopulationIndividuals with keratoconus (KC)
Care SettingOphthalmology/Optometry clinics

Key Highlights

  • DED and MGD prevalence similar across contact lens modalities
  • RGP lens wearers showed worse visual acuity and higher ocular aberrations
  • Soft contact lenses associated with longer TBUT and less lid margin issues
  • Regular ocular surface monitoring is crucial for RGP wearers

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Use Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and tear break-up time (TBUT) for DED diagnosis
  • Define MGD as DED with >25% meibomian gland loss

Management

  • Monitor ocular surface health regularly, especially in RGP wearers

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Assess visual acuity, aberrometry, tear break-up time, and meibomian gland function

Risks

  • RGP lenses associated with greater meibomian gland loss and ocular surface staining

Patient & Prescribing Data

Individuals with keratoconus, both contact lens wearers and non-wearers

Soft lenses may provide better ocular surface outcomes compared to RGP lenses

Clinical Best Practices

  • Encourage regular follow-up for ocular surface assessment in KC patients
  • Educate patients on the potential risks associated with different contact lens types

References

Original Source(s)

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