Experience with bandage contact lenses for the treatment of corneal abrasions in a combat environment.

Corneal abrasions are a common result of eye trauma. Although they usually heal well with conservative therapy, they still tend to be a source of morbidity, in terms of pain and lost work time. We reviewed 15 cases in which a bandage contact lens was used as the primary treatment for corneal abrasions in an austere environment. We found that the lenses performed well, except for patients who had undisclosed risk factors for corneal ulcers at the outset. When used for carefully selected patients, bandage contact lenses may be a highly effective treatment modality that allows for rapid return to duty.