Eye trauma is life-changing. Vision decline is an obvious outcome, but those affected by such trauma also see an overall reduction in quality of life. Traumatic eye injuries often require a multidisciplinary approach, involving medication, surgical interventions, rehabilitation therapies and more – but there are some less familiar tools in the scope that deliver amazing results in the eye trauma rehabilitation process. We’re talking about therapeutic contact lenses. Thanks to advances in materials and manufacturing, these clinically proven medical devices are invaluable in protecting the eye, in helping the eye to heal, and in boosting vision during recovery. Let’s take a look at the critical role that contact lenses play in managing eye trauma and rehabilitating vision.

Eye Trauma and the Need for Rehabilitation

An injury to the eye may stem from a road traffic accident, chemical exposure, a sport trauma or a complication related to surgery. Corneal abrasion, lacerations, chemical burns, blunt trauma leading to corneal scarring and, in the worst-case scenario, loss of sight, represent some common eye injuries.

Eye trauma rehabilitation not only restores vision in many cases, it can also prevent further complications such as infection or further damage to the traumatized eye. Therapeutic contact lenses today play an important role in this process, not only by protecting, but also by supporting and keeping the affected eye comfortable while it heals.

Types of Therapeutic Contact Lenses Used in Eye Trauma Rehabilitation

There are different types of therapeutic contact lenses that help in the management of eye trauma and rehabilitation:

Bandage Soft Contact Lenses

Soft and pliable, they literally lay over the cornea, protecting exposed nerve endings and shielding the eye from particles that would otherwise scratch the minute surface of the cornea, as well as from vasculature created by rubbing, all the while providing an antibacterial, moisturizing layer over the eye.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are bigger than conventional lenses that sit entirely on the surface of your cornea. Because they vault over the cornea and rest on the surface of the sclera (the white part of the eye), they create a liquid bubble of fluid beneath the lens and on top of the cornea. This cushion of fluid is particularly helpful for patients who have substantial damage or irregularities to the corneal surface. Aside from the comfort and ease of lens fit, often the most important clinical benefit is how the lens creates a sturdy, stable and hydrated environment for the cornea to heal.

Prosthetic Contact Lenses

These bespoke lenses are matched to the hue of the natural eye, and are primarily indicated following trauma and as a cosmetic intervention, especially in the event of marked disfigurement. The lenses can also help patients with photophobia and visual dysfunction, by disguising irregular pupillary openings.

Prosthetic contact lenses, however, are used to repair damage to the cornea, such as keratoconus, and are not exactly synonymous with the cosmetic types, which are known as colored contact lenses or decorative lenses.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

While RGP lenses may not be ideal for immediate post-trauma use, they can be useful for long-term care of patients with trauma. RGP lenses can restore stable, clear vision for patients with keratoconus, corneal scarring or other corneal irregularities that might arise after trauma. These lenses offer clear vision by filling in corneal irregularities with an optical surface.

How Therapeutic Contact Lenses Aid in Eye Trauma Recovery

The potential advantages of therapeutic contact lenses in eye trauma care and rehab are numerous:

Pain Relief and Comfort

After an eye injury, the cornea might become very sensitive such that wearing a contact lens becomes extremely painful and uncomfortable. In such cases, a bandage contact lens acts like an additional pillow over the exposed nerve endings in the eye. This reduces discomfort and pain to the point where they can lead somewhat normal lives.

Protection from Further Injury

These lenses act as a physical barrier to shield the traumatized cornea from additional insult from blinks, as well as environmental contaminants (eg, dust, dirt and foreign bodies) that can further damage the already vulnerable area. Early on, when the risk of secondary injury is highest, the physical barrier is needed to facilitate successful healing.

Facilitating Healing

Keeping the cornea moist is especially important for healing the cornea from scratches (abrasions) and burns, as these therapeutic lenses create a stable desirable environment for tissue recovery.

Reducing Inflammation and Preventing Infection

By adding a barrier and putting a layer of lubricant between injured tissue and the outside world, the lenses reduce inflammation and can prevent infectious agents from entering the injured eye, especially for corneal burns and similar injuries that have a risk of infection as well as following surgery.

Improving Visual Function

Therapeutic lenses like scleral or RGP lenses may be helpful when there is a rough or irregular cornea due to scarring caused by prior trauma. If the corneal surface is smoothed out by a well-fitted therapeutic lens, the vision distortions typically experienced can be minimized, improving quality and clarity of sight. This, in turn, has a positive impact on a patient’s clinical responsiveness, independence and quality of life following an injury.

Best Practices for Using Contact Lenses in Eye Trauma Rehabilitation

Although therapeutic contact lenses have many advantages, they should be used with caution; here are some best practice guidelines:

Regular Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up appointments with an eye care professional are important for patients using therapeutic lenses to make sure that the healing process is proceeding normally, that the lenses are optimally fitting, and that there are no signs of infection or other complications.

Hygiene and Proper Care

Patients must also be fully instructed in insertion and removal of the lens to prevent damage, and must clean and maintain it regularly, as keeping the eye area free of infection involves a detailed daily hygiene regimen.

Customizing Lens Fit

The patient rehabilitation process requires a good foundation: a lens that fits properly to the cornea. The way the cornea is shaped, how large it is, irregularities, if any, must be taken into account when fitting a lens.

Making a Difference in the Healing Journey

Therapeutic contact lenses can play an important role in the treatment of eye trauma and in rehabilitation, acting as a protective layer, reducing rubbing and discomfort, and enhancing the quality of vision. Tailoring the contact lens to the individual patient helps healing by allowing a normal visual environment by reducing chemical and physical factors that cause damage to the eye, preventing further damage, and making patients feel like they can live a normal life. As with any other medical device, therapeutic contact lenses should be used under a practitioner’s supervision.