Diagnosis of bacterial contact lens related keratitis with the white-light confocal microscope.
OBJECTIVE
We used white-light confocal microscopy to identify the causative organisms in two patients with contact lens related keratitis.


METHODS
The corneal infiltrates were examined by confocal microscopy and corneal specimens were obtained for culture.


RESULTS
In both patients, confocal microscopy revealed 1.5- to 2-micron diameter hyper-reflective bodies below the level of the epithelium. The sizes of these structures were consistent with those of bacteria. The corneal cultures from one patient grew Staphylococcus werneri and the cultures from the other patient grew Streptococcus viridans.


CONCLUSIONS
The confocal microscope permitted the in vivo observation of what we believe to be bacteria in patients diagnosed with contact lens related keratitis.
Kaufman
S C
SC
Lions Eye Research Laboratories, LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Laird
J A
JA
Cooper
R
R
Beuerman
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin