Methods of disinfecting contact lenses to avoid corneal disorders

Ocular Infections due to Contaminated Solutions

“…Herpes simplex virus was found to be the most common in patients aged on average 59 years, whilst for younger patients (average age of 44 years) trauma including corneal lacerations, abrasions and foreign bodies was found to be the most common [9]. If infectious keratitis is not adequately treated, the infection can spread rapidly, destroying corneal stroma, leading to corneal perforation, scarring and permanent loss of vision [11]. Predisposing factors to the development of microbial keratitis include: trauma, CL wear and any ocular surface compromise [12].…”

“…CLs should be regarded as proper medical devices and when used assiduously, they provide a practical alternative to spectacles [11]. Many CL wearers are unaware of the risks associated with these devices.…”

“…Many CL wearers are unaware of the risks associated with these devices. It is up to the responsible health care professional to inform the patient on the appropriate hygienic care, which has to be applied routinely, in order to avoid potentially threatening eye infections, such as microbial keratitis and corneal ulceration [11, 19]. Prior to the widespread use of CLs, microbial keratitis had been associated with eyes predisposed to infection, due to impaired ocular surface mechanisms.…”

“…Prior to the widespread use of CLs, microbial keratitis had been associated with eyes predisposed to infection, due to impaired ocular surface mechanisms. The latter may have been due to trauma or pre-existing diseases [11]. …”

“…It is known that many patients with microbial keratitis use bottles of contaminated CL solutions, which have been left open for longer than 3 months [11]. Microbes may reach the CL care systems through the patient’s hands, the tap water used to rinse the lens cases or lens, and the air, which contains microbes.…”