Purpose
The most feared complication of contact lens (CL) wear is microbial keratitis (MK), even though its incidence remains low. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of CL-related MK in relation to individual patients’ risks and societal burdens.
Methods
A multicenter case-control study was designed. The CL-related MK subpopulation (Case) was compared to healthy CL wearers (Control) using a 52-item anonymous questionnaire designed to determine subject demographics and lens wear history. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare both groups.
Results
The study enrolled 750 cases and 750 controls, and revealed a higher risk for MK patients wearing soft CL, with cosmetic CL, with overnight wear, exceeding the CL- or the cleaning solution replacement delay, using a multipurpose cleaning solution. On the contrary, hyperopia, fitting and follow-up by an ophthalmologist, and respect of basic hygiene rules were protective against CL-related MK.
Conclusions
The infectious determinants were linked to the patient, type of lenses, hygiene routine, CL handling, cleaning solution, and storage case. This study aimed to highlight the increasingly CL-related MK, which likely occur due to lack of patient information regarding basic rules of hygiene, as well as CL care and handling.
Keywords: 477 contact lens •
573 keratitis •
464 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment