Which Lenses Stress the Surface? - Summary - MDSpire

Which Lenses Stress the Surface?

  • By

  • Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS

  • May 1, 2026

  • 3 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the association between dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in individuals with keratoconus (KC) based on contact lens modality, specifically examining how different lens types may influence these conditions.

Key Findings:
  • Frequency of DED and MGD was similar across all groups.
  • RGP lens wearers had worse visual acuity and greater meibomian gland loss compared to non-contact lens wearers.
  • Soft contact lens wearers had longer TBUT and less lid margin issues.
  • SoftK lens wearers showed higher meibomian gland expressibility.
  • RGP wearers had higher prevalence of severe corneal and conjunctival staining.
Interpretation:

While contact lens modality did not affect the prevalence of DED and MGD, RGP wearers exhibited more severe ocular surface signs, highlighting the need for regular monitoring of these patients.

Limitations:
  • Small sample size may limit generalizability.
  • Cross-sectional design does not establish causation.
  • Potential biases in self-reported data.
Conclusion:

Regular ocular surface monitoring is crucial for individuals with KC, particularly those using RGP lenses.

Original Source(s)

Which Lenses Stress the Surface?

  • by Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS

  • May 1, 2026

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