Prolonged soft contact lens use may affect corneal nerve mediators and optical quality in high myopia patients

Long-term wear of soft contact lenses in people with high myopia can elevate certain corneal nerve-related mediators, which are linked to a decline in corneal optical quality, such as increased haze and visual distortions, according to a study.

The study included 140 eyes from 70 individuals undergoing small incision lenticule extraction. Patients were divided based on SCL wear duration (>10 years, ≤10 years, and non-wearers).

Using imaging and biochemical tests, the study found that long-term SCL users had significantly elevated levels of neuromediators such as nerve growth factor, substance P, and MANF in the corneal tissue. These changes were linked to increased densitometry and higher-order aberrations, particularly in those wearing lenses for over a decade.

Reference
Shao Y, Li M, Wang W, et al. The impact of soft contact lenses on the corneal neuromediators and optical quality in high myopia. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2025;102425. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102425. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40350347.