The time needed for the cornea to return to its natural shape after stopping contact lens use varies widely depending on the lens type and individual factors, according to a study.
The systematic review analyzed 15 studies assessing corneal stabilization following the discontinuation of contact lenses. The researchers found that recovery times differed across lens types:
-Soft lenses required a median of 2.1 weeks
-Hard lenses 7.6 weeks
-Orthokeratology lenses 1.6 weeks
-Tinted lenses 2–3 hours.
Factors such as lens material, fit, usage pattern, and patient age influenced recovery duration. Most studies were of good or excellent methodological quality.
The authors concluded that tailored guidelines and standardized protocols are needed to ensure accurate diagnostic and pre-surgical assessments.
Reference
Abid A, Kandel H, Watson S. Systematic review investigating the time taken for corneal stabilisation following contact lens cessation. Br J Ophthalmol. 2025;bjo-2025-327121. doi: 10.1136/bjo-2025-327121. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40419310.
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