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Microbial keratitis as a foreseeable complication of cosmetic contact lenses: a prospective study
Author(s) -
Sauer Arnaud,
Bourcier Tristan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02120.x
Subject(s) - medicine , keratitis , prospective cohort study , complication , optometry , contact lens , ophthalmology , dermatology , surgery
. Purpose: A recent study shows that the relative risk of contact lenses (CL)‐related microbial keratitis (MK) is highly increased with cosmetic contact lenses (CosCL). The aim of our study is to illustrate the implications of the CosCL on the occurence of MK and to describe the subpopulation of CosCL wearers. Methods: A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 12 French University Hospitals on all lenses wearers presenting with MK between July 2007 and July 2009, including CosCL wearers. Patients had a complete ophthalmological examination and were interviewed by a 50 items anonymous ‘questionnaire’ to determine subject demographics and lenses wear history. The CosCL‐related MK subpopulation (case) was described and finally compared to (noncosmetic) CL‐related MK (control). Results: Two hundred and fifty‐six patients were included for contact lenses‐related MK. Thirty‐two of them (12.5%) were seen for MK after wearing CosCL. Compared with CL, CosCL wearers are younger (21 versus 27 years of age) and recent wearers (3 versus 9 years). CosCL were rarely dispensed by eye care professionals increasing the risk of MK (OR, 12.3). Education about lens care and handling was deficient for most of CosCL wearers (OR, 26.5). Sixty per cent of CosCL cases versus 13% of CL‐related MK had a final visual acuity less than 20/200. Conclusion: Patients who acquire CosCL are less likely to be instructed on appropriate lenses use and basic hygiene rules. Consequently, CosCL wearers are experiencing acute vision‐threatening infections.