title: The risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease via contact lenses and ophthalmic devices.
abstract: This review collated the available information regarding the risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) via contact lenses and other ophthalmic devices. The topics examined include: the emerging background science of the unconventional infective agent, the prion, particularly those factors affecting transmission; the estimates of the number of undiagnosed infective individuals; and evidence of infectivity in the external eye. Despite many uncertainties in the literature, we conclude that cross-infection is theoretically possible. An assessment of the extensive search for a complete inactivation procedure resulted in the recommendation of the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), which does not appear to distort rigid lenses. Further tests are required for other devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V OHB, UK.
authors.forename: Graham O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Macalister
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Buckley