Abstract
Purpose: :
Microbial keratitis (MK) is a significant health concern for the million wearers of contact lenses (CL) with some potentially modifiable risk factors. The aim of our study is to illustrate the implications of the cosmetic contact lenses (CCL) on ocular surface health and the occurence of infectious complications.
Methods: :
A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 11 French University Hospital Centers (Strasbourg, Dijon, Nantes, Grenoble, Besançon, Marseille, Paris Kremlin-Bicêtre, Nancy, Limoges, Fort de France) on all CL wearers presenting with MK (control) between July 2007 and July 2009, including 32 CCL (cases), and on other CL wearers (wearers). Cases and control patients were interviewed by a 50 items anonymous standardized "questionnaire" to determine subject demographics and CL wear history.
Results: :
Two hundred fifty six patients were included for CL related MK. Thirty-two of them (12.5%) were seen for MK after wearing CCL. One hundred thirteen healthy CL wearers were surveyed (control). Compared with control, the relative risk of CL related MK is highly increased with CCL (RR, 16.5). Compared with other CL related MK and with control, CCL wearers are young and recent CL wearers (p < 0.0001). Lenses were rarely dispensed by eye care professionals. Education about lens care and handling was significantly deficient in all CCL wearers.
Conclusions: :
CCL are being frequently dispensed without a prescription. Patients who acquire lenses are significantly less likely to be instructed on appropriate lens use and care by eye care professionals. Consequently, uninformed lens wearers are experiencing acute vision-threatening infections.
Keywords: contact lens • keratitis • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment