Extended Wear Bandage Contact Lenses Decrease Pain and Preserve Vision in Patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa: Case Series and Review of Literature

Purpose: To demonstrate the therapeutic benefit of extended wear bandage contact lens (BCL) use in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) suffering from recurrent, painful, and slow-to-heal corneal epithelial defects. Methods: Case reports of three patients. Results: We report ophthalmic treatment of three pediatric patients, two with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) and one with junctional EB (JEB), who suffered frequently recurrent corneal abrasions and were treated with 30-day extended-wear bandage contact lenses (BCLs), replaced every month for at least 1 year. Pain and frequency of corneal abrasions improved immediately, and the BCLs were well tolerated. Vision was maintained or improved in all cases. Corneal ulcers did not occur while on antibiotic prophylaxis. Conclusions: Continuous and prolonged BCL therapy in patients with EB can be an effective way to immediately alleviate pain, prevent recurrent abrasions, and improve patient quality of life.