Rupture and chemical accumulation in contact lenses with dexamethasone eye drop administration after congenital cataract surgery

To investigate whether contact lenses used after surgery for congenital cataracts act as a depot for dexamethasone, which would allow the prescribed amount of drops to be reduced, and to examine whether the preservative benzalkonium chloride accumulates in the contact lens matrix, which would suggest a need for more frequent replacements. Dexamethasone and BAK do not accumulate in the contact lenses, and a depot effect of any clinical significance is unlikely. Therefore, the number of drops given after surgery should remain the same regardless of whether the child has contact lenses. However, the ruptured surface may decrease the child’s comfort and increase the risk of microbial adhesion, so it is recommended that contact lenses be replaced once a month throughout anti‐inflammatory eye drop treatment after surgery for congenital cataracts.