Effects of long-term contact lens wear on the cornea

Long-term contact lens use can lead to alterations in corneal thickness, stromal thickness, curvature, corneal sensitivity, cell density, and epithelial oxygen uptake. Other structural changes may include the formation of epithelial vacuoles and microcysts (containing cellular debris), corneal neovascularization, as well as the emergence of polymegethism in the corneal endothelium.