What impact does a dehydrated contact lens have on inferior arcuate lesion staining?

A dehydrated contact lens can intensify the staining of an inferior arcuate lesion due to the lens's decreased water content. When contact lenses lose moisture, their surfaces become more irregular, which can lead to increased friction against the corneal surface. This added friction can exacerbate any existing corneal lesions, including inferior arcuate lesions, resulting in more pronounced staining when assessed with dye such as fluorescein.

The presence of a dehydrated lens also means that there’s less wettability and lubrication, which can contribute to increased cell damage or disruption in the corneal area. Consequently, the staining of these lesions becomes more noticeable, indicating greater severity or irritation.

Maintaining proper hydration of contact lenses is crucial not just for patient comfort but also to minimize the risk of complications such as corneal staining, which can be indicative of underlying issues.