May 2005
Volume 46, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2005
The Incidence of Contact Lens Related Microbial Keratitis in Australia
F. Stapleton; K. Edwards; L. Keay; T. Naduvilath; J.K. G. Dart; G. Brian; D. Sweeney; B.A. Holden
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • F. Stapleton
    School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
    Institute for Eye Research, Sydney, Australia
  • K. Edwards
    School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
    Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia
  • L. Keay
    School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
    Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia
  • T. Naduvilath
    Institute for Eye Research, Sydney, Australia
    Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia
  • J.K. G. Dart
    Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
    Institute of Ophthalmology, University College, London, United Kingdom
  • G. Brian
    Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia
    International Centre for Eyecare Education, Sydney, Australia
  • D. Sweeney
    Institute for Eye Research, Sydney, Australia
    Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia
  • B.A. Holden
    School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
    Institute for Eye Research, Sydney, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  F. Stapleton, CIBA Vision F; K. Edwards, None; L. Keay, None; T. Naduvilath, CIBA Vision F; J.K.G. Dart, None; G. Brian, None; D. Sweeney, CIBA Vision F; B.A. Holden, CIBA Vision F.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Australian Government (CRC programme), CIBA Vision
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2005, Vol.46, 5025. doi:
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      F. Stapleton, K. Edwards, L. Keay, T. Naduvilath, J.K. G. Dart, G. Brian, D. Sweeney, B.A. Holden; The Incidence of Contact Lens Related Microbial Keratitis in Australia . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2005;46(13):5025.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Since the publication of studies reporting incidence of contact lens (CL)–related microbial keratitis (MK), CL types and modes of wear have altered, with the introduction of silicone hydrogel (SH) and daily disposable (DD) CLs. No population–based data are available on the risk of disease with these CL types. A prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence of CL–related MK in Australia. Methods: New cases of CL–related MK presenting to ophthalmic practitioners between 10/2003–9/2004 were identified using either Internet or postal/fax report. A clinical definition was used and cases were stratified by severity. The number of CL wearers in the community was established using a telephone survey of randomly selected households. Six–month data are reported. Results: 81% of ophthalmic practitioners responded and 151 cases of CL–related MK were reported. In the population study, 967 controls were identified, with 7.5% using DD CLs and 9.3% SH CLs. The annual incidence of all CL–related MK was 4.8 (95% CI 3.7–5.9) per 10,000 wearers). The annual incidence of moderate and severe or culture proven keratitis in DD CL users was 0.9 (0.7–1.3), in daily wear (DW) soft CL users 3.1 (2.9–3.3), DW SH CL users 4.5 (3.5–6.4), extended wear (EW) soft CL users 11.7 (8.2–20.6) and in EW SH CL users 19.3 (13.9–31.3) per 10,000 wearers. Visual loss occurred more frequently following MK with EW soft CL use compared with EW SH CL use (p<0.05). MK with EW SH CL use appeared to be associated with a longer duration of continuous use than in EW soft CL use (p=0.08). Conclusions: While the data have yet to be independently reviewed, the incidence of CL–related keratitis in hydrogel use is similar to that previously reported. Overnight use of any CL is associated with a higher risk than DW use. DD CL use appears to be associated with a lower risk than for DW of soft CLs. There was no significant difference in incidence between EW SH and EW soft CLs, although severity and duration of continuous use may differ.

Keywords: contact lens • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence 
© 2005, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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