['To determine if the variability in contact lens-induced corneal swelling is associated with variability in corneal oxygen consumption (Q(C)) or corneal endothelial function.', 'Corneal swelling was induced in 30 non-contact lens wearers by 2 hours of closed-eye contact lens wear, using thick (oxygen transmission [Dk/t] = 4.0 x 10-9) and thin (Dk/t = 12 x 10-9) hydrogel lenses of identical design. Following the induction of swelling, corneal thickness was continually measured by pachymetry until open-eye steady-state (OESS) thickness was achieved. The percentage of recovery per hour was calculated as a measure of endothelial function. Tear oxygen tension (PO(2)) beneath the hydrogels was measured in the open eye and after 5 minutes of eye closure to obtain estimates of Q(C). A change in corneal pH during eye closure while wearing the hydrogels was used as a measure of hypoxic acidosis. Associations between corneal swelling and endothelial cell density or corneal epithelial thickness were also tested.', 'There were modest but significant (P < 0.05) correlations between thick-lens corneal swelling and thick-lens closed-eye PO(2) (r = -0.36); thin lens corneal swelling and thin-lens closed-eye and open-eye PO(2) (r = -0.40 and -0.39, respectively). Corneal swelling also increases with increasing Q(C) (r = + 0.29 to + 0.33). Corneal swelling was associated with the decrease in pH during lens wear (r = + 0.30 and + 0.20 for thick and thin lenses, respectively). Thick- and thin-lens corneal swelling was significantly associated with percentage of recovery per hour (r = -0.40 and -0.34, respectively). Multiple regression analysis of corneal swelling with PO(2) and percentage of recovery per hour suggested an additive effect, however the effects were not significant. There was a modest inverse association between corneal swelling and OESS, however there were no associations between corneal swelling and endothelial cell density or epithelial thickness.'] Is variability in hypoxia-induced corneal swelling associated with variability in corneal metabolism and endothelial function?