Corneal ulcer associated with contamination of aerosol saline spray tip.
OBJECTIVE
To report a complication of aerosol saline use in a contact lens wearer.


METHODS
Case report. A 57-year-old woman who used soft contact lenses on an extended-wear basis developed a unilateral Pseudomonas corneal ulcer associated with the use of preservative-free aerosol saline.


RESULTS
The solution inside the aerosol can was free of microbial contamination. The spray tip, however, was contaminated with P aeruginosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Aerosol spray cans may minimize contamination of the solution inside the can. The spray tip is still susceptible to microbial contamination, especially with continued use of the solution over an extended period of time.
Donzis
P B
PB
Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, USA. pdonzis@usa.net
D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D018639:Contact Lens Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002437:Cefazolin; D014031:Tobramycin