The Pre‐fitting Eye Examination and Failure in Wearing Contact Lenses

To determine if the results of the pit‐fitting eye examination could be used to identify potentially unsuccessful corneal contact lens wearers. 122 consecutive patients were given extensive eye examinations and then fitted with contact lenses. Several months later, the patients were divided into two groups—those who were successful lens wearers and those who were not. The two groups were then compared statistically on the basis of the pre‐fitting eye examinations. Our findings disclosed several characteristics that contribute to failure in wearing corneal contact lenses. Patients with good uncorrected visual acuity and/or low myopia (especially if poorly motivated), high myopes, males, and patients with large palpebral apertures appear to be poorer candidates for contact lenses. These findings should not be construed to mean that patients with these pre‐fitting examination characteristics should not be considered for contact lenses. The prognosis for each patient must be assessed individually in the light of these findings and the reports of others.