Fungal keratitis associated with non-therapeutic soft contact lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To report an increase in culture-positive contact lens-associated fungal keratitis.


METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional laboratory study.


METHODS
Microbiology records of culture-positive fungal keratitis cases from January 2004 to December 2005 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Recovery of fungal pathogens among wearers of contact lenses increased from 26.7% (eight of 30) to 50% (18 of 36) of isolates in 2005. Fusarium species (66 of 122, 54.1%) were the most frequent fungal pathogens. Soft contact lens wear among the Fusarium cases more than doubled (seven of 30, 23.3%, vs 17 of 36, 47.7%, P = .046) from 2004 to 2005.


CONCLUSIONS
Contact lens wear may be a risk factor in fungal keratitis.
Alfonso
Eduardo C
EC
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. ealfonso@med.miami.edu
Miller
Darlene
D
Cantu-Dibildox
Jorge
J
O'brien
Terrence P
TP
Schein
Oliver D
OD
D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies