CLARE Education: After resolution, restarting CL wear should involve what?

• A. Restart without changes
• B. Use frequent PFATs and a steroid/antibiotic combo drop qid for 1-2 weeks
• C. Stop lens use permanently
• D. Only use a sterile saline rinse

Answer: (B)

After CLARE resolves, reintroducing contact lens wear should be done with a plan that curbs any lingering inflammation and protects against reinfection during the early wear period. Using frequent lubricating drops, ideally preservative-free, helps keep the ocular surface comfortable and reduces friction as you resume lens wear. At the same time, starting a short course of a steroid/antibiotic combination drop four times daily for one to two weeks provides anti-inflammatory support to quell residual inflammation and antimicrobial coverage while the cornea re-accommodates to lens wear. This approach lowers the risk of recurrence and promotes healing as you return to lens use. Restarting without any change ignores ongoing inflammatory risk; stopping lens wear permanently is unnecessary; relying on saline alone offers lubrication but not anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial protection, so it’s insufficient.