scholarly journals Life on contact lenses: Exploiting a modern habitat

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
James Lonnen

There are an estimated 125 million contact lens wearers across the world, and the majority experience few complications; however, it is well known that contact lens wear is a risk factor for microbial keratitis (infection of the cornea of the eye). Owing to the ubiquitous distribution of micro-organisms, it is extremely di cult to prevent them from colonizing contact lens storage cases. Bacteria, fungi and protozoa have all been found in contact lens storage cases; these micro-organisms can adhere to the contact lens, which then acts as a vector to transport the microbes on to the surface of the eye. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fungi such as Fusarium solani and the protazoan parasite Acanthamoeba–to name but a few–can cause infection of the corneal epithelial cells, which, if untreated, can lead to blindness. It is therefore essential that wearers clean and disinfect their contact lenses and storage cases e ectively to minimize the risk of infection.

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D.P. Willcox ◽  
B.A. Holden

This article describes microbial keratitis, infection of the cornea by micro-organisms. Contact lens wear is a predisposing factor for the development of microbial keratitis. Micro-organisms probably adhere to the contact lens, transfer from the contact lens to a damaged or compromised corneal epithelial surface, penetrate into the deeper layers of the cornea and produce corneal damage. Host responses to the invading micro-organisms, while designed to protect the eye, can often exacerbate the situation and the resulting microbial keratitis can lead to permanent blindness. The microbial, biochemical and immunological aspects of MK will be described in detail.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000476
Author(s):  
Anna Stellwagen ◽  
Cheryl MacGregor ◽  
Roger Kung ◽  
Aristides Konstantopoulos ◽  
Parwez Hossain

ObjectiveMicrobial keratitis is a sight-threatening complication of contact lens wear, which affects thousands of patients and causes a significant burden on healthcare services. This study aims to identify compliance with contact lens care recommendations and identify personal hygiene risk factors in patients who develop contact lens-related microbial keratitis.Methods and analysisA case–control study was conducted at the University Hospital Southampton Eye Casualty from October to December 2015. Two participant groups were recruited: cases were contact lens wearers presenting with microbial keratitis and controls were contact lens wearers without infection. Participants underwent face-to-face interviews to identify lens wear practices, including lens type, hours of wear, personal hygiene and sleeping and showering in lenses. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to compare groups.Results37 cases and 41 controls were identified. Showering in contact lenses was identified as the greatest risk factor (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.5; p=0.03), with showering daily in lenses compared with never, increasing the risk of microbial keratitis by over seven times (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 2.1 to 24.6; p=0.002). Other risks included sleeping in lenses (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 8.6; p=0.026), and being aged 25–39 (OR, 6.38; 95% CI, 1.56 to 26.10; p=0.010) and 40–54 (OR, 4.00; 95% CI 0.96 to 16.61; p=0.056).ConclusionThe greatest personal hygiene risk factor for contact lens-related microbial keratitis was showering while wearing lenses, with an OR of 3.1, which increased to 7.1 if patients showered daily in lenses. The OR for sleeping in lenses was 3.1, and the most at-risk age group was 25–54.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farihah Tariq ◽  
Peter Koay

Contact lenses are lenses placed on the surface of the cornea to correct refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyper­metropia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism. Lens-related complications are becoming a greater health concern as increasing number of individuals are using them as an alternative to spectacles. Contact lenses alter the natural ocular environment and reduce the efficacy of the innate defences. Although many complications are minor, microbial keratitis is potentially blinding and suspected cases should be rapidly diagnosed and referred to an ophthalmologist for treatment. Several risk factors have been identified with extended wear, poor hand hygiene, inadequate lens and lens-case care being the most significant. Promotion of good contact lens hygiene and practices are essential to reduce the adverse effects of contact lens wear.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e14-e21
Author(s):  
Melissa Barnett ◽  
Jonathon Ross ◽  
Blythe Durbin-Johnson

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance (i.e. vision, comfort and fit) of spherical and front-surface toric scleral lenses in subjects with regular, healthy corneas. Methods: Scleral lenses were fitin the eyes (n = 16) of healthy subjects (n = 9) with regular corneas, absent of pathology, and studied using an observational, multi-visit design. Lens fit was objectively evaluatedby an experienced practitioner.Following 1 month of successful lens wear, participants completedsubjective satisfaction surveys regarding the scleral lens wearing experience. Results:  According to participant surveys, scleral lenses were subjectively preferred over soft toric or gas permeable contact lenses in 88% of eyes, including in all eyes fit with a front-surface toric scleral lens (n = 3). Seventy-five percent (75%) of eyes achieved visual acuity of 0.1 logMAR or better, while all eyes with prior spectacle wear achieved visual acuity with a scleral lens within 1 Snellen line of spectacle correction. Seventy-five percent (75%) of eyes achieved good subjective comfort with a scleral lens. No participants reported poor subjective vision and/or comfort. Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that subjects preferred the performance of a scleral lens (spherical or front-surface toric) compared to a soft toric or gas permeable contact lens. Moreover, scleral lenses may provide a viable, alternative contact lens modality option for patients considering discontinuation of traditional soft toric and/or rigid contact lens wear; so long as the factors associated with hypoxia remain minimized. Key Words:  scleral lens; scleral contact lens; front-surface toric scleral lens; lens performance; normal eyes; healthy eyes


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. S41
Author(s):  
Samuele Tosatti ◽  
Olof Sterner ◽  
Rudolf Aeschlimann ◽  
Stefan Zuercher ◽  
Charles Scales ◽  
...  

1988 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P.M. Boets ◽  
J. A. Van Best ◽  
J. P. Boot ◽  
J. A. Oosterhuis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motohiro Itoi ◽  
Koji Kitazawa ◽  
Hisayo Higashihara ◽  
Chie Sotozono

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the impact of removal of rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses on the anterior and posterior cornea surfaces of eyes with keratoconus.MethodsEight eyes of 8 patients with keratoconus (KC) (age 34.3 ± 15.3 years; range 19–60 years) were enrolled. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was performed at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 60 minutes after the patients removed their RGP contact lenses. Measurements included anterior and posterior best-fit sphere (BFS); elevation values and corneal surface areas; corneal thickness at the thinnest point; and the anterior-posterior ratio of the corneal surface (As/Ps) between 1 minute and 60 minutes after RGP contact lens removal.ResultsAnterior and posterior elevation values and corneal surface areas showed significant increases, whereas anterior and posterior BFS and central corneal thickness decreased significantly (P < 0.01) between 1 minute and 60 minutes after RGP contact lens removal. No statistically significant differences were found in the As/Ps ratio during the first hour after suspending RGP contact lens wear.ConclusionsWe found that the patients with keratoconus experienced significant changes in both the anterior and posterior corneal shape for 60 minutes after removal of RGP contact lenses.


Author(s):  
Aristeidis Chandrinos ◽  
Dorotheos-Dimitrios Tzamouranis

Purpose: This study demonstrates the actions that took over the contact lens (CL) wearers in Greece after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study includes nameless web-based survey used to measure participants demographics, CL wear history, and custom wear activity of CL in a stage of noticeable risk of infection due to CL wear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: During the lockdown A’ in Greece about half of the participants (42.5%) believe that the perception risk of infection using CL was extremely effective (29%) and very effective (13.5%). Only a minority (18 %) of the participants do believe that the use of CL increases the risk of COVID-19 infection. Another population (43%) do not agree with this opinion and more than a third of them (39%) resemble that are not affected by this opinion or are less informed. Conclusion: This study presents the likelihood of reducing or ceasing the use of CLs during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and a relationship between the perceived risk of infection and CL use. There was also a predisposition to alter the frequency of CL wear. All eye care practitioners should give more advice to their patients that continue to wear CL and assist them to act in accordance with the new rules of handling and in favour of occasional CL wear.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanka Golebiowski ◽  
Cecilia Chao ◽  
Kim Anh Bui ◽  
Wing Yan Winnie Lam ◽  
Kathryn Richdale ◽  
...  

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