The influence of soft contact lenses (SCL) with low (37%, L) and high (65%, H) water content on rabbit corneas was investigated. The lenses were worn continuously for 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21 or 28 days. The changes in corneal transparency, hydration and enzyme activities were studied. A slight change in corneal transparency due to higher hydration caused by a decreased activity of Na+-K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the corneal endothelium is followed by a decrease in the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Slight morphological disturbances appear within 4 days in animals wearing SCL (L). SCL (H) produce similar changes one week later. Subsequently, the corneal epithelium becomes thinner and changes in the size of corneal endothelial cells are obvious. Disturbances of enzyme activities in cells of all corneal layers are present. In the epithelium highly increased activities of acid glycosidases, acid phosphatase, and dipeptidyl peptidase I and II, in keratocytes decreased activities of alkaline phosphatase and GGT, and in the endothelium decreased activity of Na+-K+-ATPase and GGT were found. These changes are more severe after SCL (L). In this case, inflammatory cells displaying high activities of lysosomal hydrolases appear in the anterior part of the stroma during the 3rd and 4th weeks and local degradation of glycosaminoglycans and proteins takes place. In contrast, after SCL (H) a remarkable thinning of the corneas was observed during extended wear, accompanied by decreased stainability of stromal glycosaminoglycans and highly decreased enzyme activities in keratocytes. The histochemical methods proved very useful in the assessment of lesions caused by a continuous wear of SCL.

Institute of Experimental Medicine Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences Praha CSSR

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