AIM:To investigate the efficacy of highly hydrophilic soft contact lenses for persistent corneal epithelial defects.

METHODS:In this retrospective case analysis, 28 patients(28 eyes)with persistent corneal epithelial defects after anterior segment surgery from January 2011 to June 2013 in our hospital were reviewed. After regular treatment for at least 2wk, the persistent corneal epithelial defects were treated with highly hydrophilic soft contact lenses, until the corneal epithelial healing. Continued to wear the same lens no more than 3wk, or in need of replacement the new one. All cases were followed up for 6mo. Key indicators of corneal epithelial healling, corneal fluorescein staining and ocular symptoms improvement were observed.

RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes were cured(75.00%), markedly effective in 5 eyes(17.86%), effective in 2 eyes(7.14%), no invalid cases, the total efficiency of 100.00%. Ocular symptoms of 25 cases(89.29%)relieved within 2d, the rest 3 cases(10.71%)relieved within 1wk. The corneal epithelial of 6 cases(21.43%)repaired in 3wk, 13 cases(46.43%)in 6wk, 7 cases(25.00%)in 9wk, 2 cases(7.14%)over 12wk. There were no signs of secondary infection. And no evidence of recurrence in 6mo.

CONCLUSION: Highly hydrophilic soft contact lenses could repair persistent corneal epithelial defects after anterior segment surgery significantly, while quickly and effectively relieve a variety of ocular irritation.