Demostration of the effect of sort contact lenses on conjunctiva surface impression citology

100 eyes of 50 patients, in follow up in contact lens department of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, were examined for determination of squamous metaplasia, Goblet cell density and tear film functions. Results were compared to 80 eyes of 40 control group whose ocular surface functions were normal. Conjunctiva epithelial cells of control group were evaluated according to the Nelson's grading method and detected that 85 % were grade 0, 1 5 % were grade 1 while grade 2 and 3 were indistinguishable. Patients in contact lens wearing group were divided in to 3 groups according to the contact lens wearing duration (0-12 months, 12-48 months, 48 months and more). When these groups were evaluated according to the Nelson's grading method they were detected that 21% were grade 0, 32 % were grade 1, 28 % were grade 2, and 19 % were grade 3 while Goblet cell density were detected 433,25 ± 184 cells / mm2 it was 217,5 ± 69,55 cells / mm2 in 0-12 months contact lens wearing group, 167 ± 47,3 cells / mm2 in 12-48 months contact lens wearing group and 152,85 ± 29 cells / mm2 in 48 months and more contact lens wearing group. Snakelike chromatin changes were detected in 10 % of contact lens wearing patients while there were no changes in control group. In this study tear film break-up times were detected 12,26 ± 3,44 sec. in control group and 9,93 ± 1,58 to 7,80 ± 2,41 sec. in contact lens wearing groups. Basal Schirmer's test results were 15,59 ± 4,58 mm. in control group and 10,62 ± 4,03 to 9,40 ± 4,32 mm. in contact lens wearing groups. The relationship in epithelial cell morphology, Goblet cell density, snakelike chromatin changes, tear film break-up time and basal Schirmer's tests between control group and contact lens wearing groups were statistically significant. Contact lens wearers with intolerance and wearers without any complaints were compared according to the Goblet cell density and it was detected that Goblet cell density was 242,3 ± 44,6 cells / mm2 in group without complaints and 168,8 ±33 cells / mm2 in group with intolerance. The difference was statistically significant. There were no statistically significant relationship between these groups in tear film break-up times and basal Schimer's tests. It was detected that there were no relationship between contact lens wearing duration and squamous metaplasia. Squamous metaplasia seems to appear in the first year after initiation of contact lens wearing. It was thought that squamous metaplasia might develop secondary to the chronic mechanical irritation due to rubbing of contact lens on conjunctiva surface, tear film functional changes and toxic reaction because of preservative materials in contact lens solutions.