Burkholderia Cepacia-Induced Bilateral Microbial Keratitis in a Wearer of Colored Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Abstract

In this report, we present a case of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia)-induced bilateral microbial keratitis in a patient who wore colored contact lenses (CLs) on both eyes. The patient was a 19-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with pain, discharge, and photophobia affecting both eyes while she was wearing colored cosmetic CLs. There were corneal ulcers in both of her eyes without refractive correction. Although impairment of vision was not detected at the first visit, both eyes showed neovascularization of the upper part of the cornea and had relatively well-demarcated corneal ulcers associated with corneal stromal opacity. Cultures of cornea grew B. cepacia in both eyes. She received antimicrobial agents to which this organism was sensitive, resulting in the healing of the corneal ulcers with scarring after approximately one month. Improper fitting of colored cosmetic CLs, contamination of lenses or solutions, and inadequate lens care can be risk factors for developing this condition.