title: [Survey of severe contact lens-associated microbial keratitis in Japan].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the current state of severe contact lens (CL)-associated microbial keratitis in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was conducted by the Japan Contact Lens Society and the Japanese Association for Ocular Infection in 224 facilities from April 2007 to March 2009. Patients who were diagnosed with CL-associated microbial keratitis and hospitalized for treatment were enrolled. Clinical characteristics of the keratitis, microbiologic findings and the status of CL hygiene were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 350 patients were investigated, with an average age of 28.0 (9-90) years. Acanthamoeba was identified in 85 (24.3%) corneal specimens and Pseudomonus aeruginosa in 70 (20.0%) cases. One hundred ninety six (56.0%) patients were frequent replacement soft CL users. Extended wearing of daily-use CLs was found in 77 (22.0%) patients. Only 67 cases maintained good CL hygiene by daily rubbing-washing and the poor CL care situation was reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most frequently detected pathogenic microorganism was Acanthamoeba, followed by Pseudomonus aeruginosa. Our survey showed the importance of keeping good CL hygiene by proper lens care, and improvement of CL-related social regulations is urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. uno@m.ehime-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uno
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimomura
authors.forename: Yasuhisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Masamaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Yoshitsugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Kiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
authors.forename: Chie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sotozono
authors.forename: Yoshitsugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tagawa
authors.forename: Taiichirou
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chikama
mesh_terms: D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa