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Soft contact lens contamination by Alternaria alternata
Author(s) -
Brooks Anne M. V.,
Lazarus Mark G.,
Weiner John M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1984.tb108171.x
Subject(s) - alternaria alternata , contact lens , contamination , medicine , eye irritation , irritation , alternaria , lens (geology) , surgery , dermatology , ophthalmology , biology , horticulture , ecology , immunology , paleontology
Two cases of contact lens contamination by the fungus, Alternaria alternata , are described. In both patients, mild ocular irritation was the presenting symptom but neither suffered fungal infection of the eye. To our knowledge, A alternata has not previously been reported as a contaminant of contact lenses, alhough it is an ubiquitous saprophyte and has been reported as causing infections in humans. The close succession in which these two patients presented may indicate that such fungal contamination of contact lenses is not uncommon. The importance of adequate cleaning regimens for daily‐wear contact lenses (which are inserted and removed each day), and the necessity for patients with extended‐wear contact lenses (which are worn continuously) to seek medical attention immediately should any problems arise, are emphasized.