A Clinical Observation of Corneal Lacerations Treated with Therapeutic Soft Contact Lenses in Corneal Lacerations

ABSTRACT

26 Eyes(34.1%) among 85 eyes of corneal lacerations who visited the Department of Ophthalmology of Masan Korye General hospital from 1991 to 1992 were fitted with therapeutic soft contact lenses instead of primary suture. The other 59 corneal lacerations had various causes that ruled out treatment with contact lens. 29 Eyes(51.8%) were associated with traumatic cataract, 23 eyes(41.1%) had associated iris prolapse and 7 eyes(12.5%) had intraocular bodies. Maximum size of corneal lacerations was about 5mm, and average duration of fitting with contact lens was 4.9 days. Complications included corneal opacity(24.0%), cataract(12.0%), retinal degeneration(4.0%), vitreous opacity(4.0%). We have found that therapeutic contact lens can be used successfully to treat corneal lacerations of less than 5mm, good apposition and alignment of wound edges, and abscence of associated injury to produce good restoration of the anterior chamber and visual acuity.