title: Fungal keratitis associated with non-therapeutic soft contact lenses.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. ealfonso@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Eduardo C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cantu-Dibildox
authors.forename: Terrence P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: O'brien
authors.forename: Oliver D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Schein
mesh_terms: 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