AIM: To investigate the effect of soft corneal contact lens on the recovery of corneal epithelial defects and the comfort in patients with diabetic retinopathy after vitrectomy.

METHODS: Twenty patients(20 eyes)with diabetic retinopathy whose corneal epithelium defected after vitrectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups. The trial group(10 eyes)received the combination treatment of wearing soft corneal contact lenses and eyedrops to promote corneal epithelial repair, and the control group(10 eyes)only received eyedrops. The corneal epithelial healing time was observed postoperatively. And the scores of the comfort in patients between two groups were compared.

RESULTS: The average duration of corneal epithelial defects was 4.1±1.20d in the trial group, and 14.2±6.07d in the control group, which was statistically significant different between the two groups(P<0.05). After treatment, the patients in the trial group felt more comfortable compared with the ones in the control group. There was no significant statistical difference about the scores of the comfort between the two groups at postoperative 3mo(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The soft corneal contact lens could effectively treat patients with corneal epithelial defects after vitrectomy, and improve their comfort.