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Article | 2025 Global Specialty Lens Symposium

GSLS Keynote: 25 Years of Silicone Hydrogels

In the first of two keynotes that opened the education on Thursday, Jan. 16, Fiona Stapleton, FCOptom, PhD, MSc, BSc, looked at the last 25 years of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) materials and how they compared to hydrogel materials in several categories.

Contact Lens Spectrum January 17, 2025

Clinical Scorecard: GSLS Keynote: 25 Years of Silicone Hydrogels

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionSilicone Hydrogel Lens Use
Key MechanismsComparison of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) materials to hydrogel materials in terms of prescribing trends and clinical outcomes.
Target PopulationPatients requiring corrective lenses, including pediatric patients.
Care SettingOptometry and ophthalmology practices.

Key Highlights

  • SiHy lenses are prescribed three times more than hydrogels.
  • Prescribing for SiHy lenses increased from 4-5% in 2000 to ~70-80% in the 2010s.
  • No significant difference in lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis rates between SiHy and hydrogels.
  • Higher incidence of corneal infiltrates with SiHy lenses in daily and extended wear.
  • Emphasis on hygiene and compliance for pediatric patients.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Perform a risk/benefit analysis for lens selection.

Management

  • Involve the whole medical team if necessary.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Manage any comorbidities associated with lens use.

Risks

  • Consider the higher incidence of corneal infiltrates with SiHy lenses.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with low refractive errors, including children.

SiHy lenses are preferred in daily wear and daily disposable categories.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Assess special considerations for pediatric patients.
  • Focus on hygiene and compliance in lens wear.

References