Contact lenses in pregnancy

The marked systemic changes of normal pregnancy (Chamberlain 1991) vary so widely that it is difficult to outline the typical ocular characteristics of a normal pregnancy (Sunness 1988). This is further compounded by the fact that a particular tissue response to two successive pregnancies in the same individual can be very different. Ocular anterior segment disturbances associated with conception may be mild, moderate or severe, with varying effects on a contact lens wearer (Imafidon 1991). A s three quarters of the female population of contact lens wearers are of child-bearing potential (Asota & Imafidon 1992), there is a new impetus to investigate ocular signs and symptoms during pregnancy. A recent report of ocular symptomatology of lens wear in multi-gravid patients recorded that 30% of established soft and rigid contact lens wearers experienced some difficulties during normal pregnancy (Imafidon et al. 1991). They used different commercially available care products. Discomfort was the commonest complaint, and this was more associated with the wearing of rigid lenses. Other symptoms were persistent greasing of the contact lens (that is, surface mucous deposition), increased lens awareness, and reduced wearing time. Although the severity of a condition as revealed by symptoms does not always correlate with clinical signs, these complaints suggest an inadequate anterior ocular surface lubrication and that the tears may have undergone some changes in quality and/or quantity.