Contact lens-induced regression of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of soft contact lenses (CL) to reduce the epithelial opacities of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD). First presentation of confocal microscopy in LECD. METHODS: Two unrelated female patients with LECD demonstrated a central gray opacity with distinct visual impairment. The first patient wore a daily hydroxyethlmethacrylate (HEMA) CL for 3 months and the second, a daily silicone hydrogel CL for 1 month. Pre-CL and post-CL appearances of the cornea were photodocumented at the slit lamp. Additionally, in the second patient, a confocal microscopic evaluation of LECD was performed. RESULTS: In both patients, the wearing of CL resulted in a distinct reduction of central corneal opacification with a visual improvement. Discontinued wearing of CL induced again a progression of opacity. The confocal microscopy disclosed the typical intracytoplasmatic vacuolization of the involved epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing CL for a longer duration causes a significant regression of corneal opacities in LECD. The etiology of this phenomenon is interpreted as a CL-induced thinning of corneal epithelium and reduction of epithelial layers.