Corneal oxygen uptake: A review of polarographic techniques, applications, and variables

Factors that influence the polarographic measurement of the oxygen uptake of the cornea are reviewed. These factors include the technique, electrode assembly, oxygen reservoir, membrane material and thickness, oxygen tension of the corneal environment, duration of exposure to environmental conditions and time to application of the probe all influencing measured oxygen uptake rates. Subject factors include lid position, palpebral aperture size, blinking, corneal thickness, and corneal integrity. Contact lens wear influences corneal oxygen uptake, with lens material and design parameters influencing rates obtained both under static (without blinking) and dynamic (with blinking) conditions. Measurement of corneal oxygen uptake rates remains an excellent method to quantify the oxygen supply in contact lens systems that include the contact lens, the tears, and the cornea, in which oxygen flux is influenced by the thickness and diffusion characteristics of each component.