Can variability in corneal metabolism explain the variability in corneal swelling?

Purpose: To examine if the variability in hypoxic corneal swelling in non-contact lens wearing and contact lens wearing groups can be explained by the variability in corneal metabolic activity or endothelial function.

Methods: Corneal thickness was measured by Orbscan before and after 2 hr of closed-eye hydrogel lens wear. De-swelling rates (percentage recovery per hour) were determined by continued corneal thickness measurements until open-eye steady-state thickness was reached.

Estimation of human corneal oxygen consumption by noninvasive measurement of tear oxygen tension while wearing hydrogel lenses.

Purpose: To devise a procedure for direct estimation of corneal oxygen consumption in human subjects.

Methods: Tear oxygen tension (PO2) was measured at the posterior surface of two standard hydrogel contact lenses (38% water, 0.2 and 0.