Impact of High-Altitude Changes on Contact Lens

Narmadha R, M.Optom

Assistant Professor, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, Trichy, India

 

Contact lenses are artificial devices that are placed on the eye’s front surface to substitute for the anterior corneal surface. They help to correct the corneal refractive error, irregularities, and surface abnormalities. ⁽¹⁾ Contact lenses have recently grown in popularity and demand because of substantial advances. ⁽²⁾ Worldwide estimates of contact lens wear is estimated to be more than 140 million wearers. ⁽³⁾

High-Altitude Changes:

The effects of high altitude on humans are mostly the consequences of reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere. There are several environmental changes that arise from altitude, including falls in humidity, irradiation, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and partial pressure of oxygen. Airline flights usually cruise at altitudes of 9150-13000m (30–40,000 feet) above sea level, where the atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) is usually 5 kPa, which would normally result in a lethal level of airway hypoxia. ⁽⁴⁾

Effect Of High-Altitude Changes in Contact Lens:

A sufficient level of available oxygen is one of the fundamental building blocks for healthy eyes and, therefore, successful contact lens wear.  Higher altitudes have less oxygen in the air. Contact lenses, especially older or less permeable types, can restrict oxygen flow to the cornea, potentially leading to eye discomfort or hypoxia.

Prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels can result in symptoms like redness, swelling, or corneal damage if not addressed.

Changes in air pressure at high altitudes, particularly during rapid altitude changes such as take-off and landing in aeroplanes, may cause slight shifts in the position of contact lenses, leading to discomfort or blurry vision.

Reduced oxygen in high altitudes may lead the cornea to swell, which can affect the fit of the contact lens and cause discomfort.

Jagerman et.al., examined contact lens wearers after long plane flights and reported dense areas of fluorescein staining from damaged or lost corneal epithelium in both eyes. He described the condition as “hypoxic cornea” syndrome and felt it could be the result of the decreased levels of available oxygen during air travel.⁽⁵⁾

A practitioner, in Hawaii, described similar observations of corneal oedema resulting from prolonged air travel in otherwise well adapted contact lens wearers. He described the condition as “jet set syndrome. ⁽⁵⁾

In a study by Enget al.  Also stated that decreased humidity had a greater impact than decreased levels of atmospheric oxygen on the fit of a soft contact lens.⁽⁵⁾

Management Strategy:

Although contact lenses may be used safely at high altitudes, travelling may disrupt routine care, including cleaning, sterilising, deproteinising & proper storage. Discomfort associated with the use of contact lenses may be resolved with the more frequent use of lubricants. ⁽⁶⁾

Conclusion:

High-altitude changes can significantly impact the comfort and performance of contact lenses. However, these effects can be managed with the right strategies, such as using rewetting drops and ensuring proper maintenance. By taking these precautions, contact lens wearers can better adapt to high-altitude environments and maintain optimal eye health.

 

References:

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