Superficial Punctate Keratopathy and Bacterial Growth in Patients with Unilateral Aphakia Using Extended-Wear Soft Contact Lenses

Abstract

We prospectively examined corneal conditions and bacterial growth in 77 individials with unilateral aphakia who were using extended-wear soft contact lenses. The ratios of positive bacterial growth (70.6–79.4%) from 34 patients with superficial punctate keratopathy were significantly higher than those (41.9–46.5%) from the 43 subjects with normal corneas. Bacterial growth was found frequently in patients with superficial punctate keratopathy who were older than 80 years and in those using soft contact lenses for more than 22 days. Several kinds of bacteria grew from the specimens. Among the most common were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cornybacterium species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa grew from patients with superficial punctate keratopathy who were using extended-wear soft contact lenses.

Extended‐wear soft contact lenses don't change the ocular flora

“…Additionally, we investigated the quantity of positive bacteria. These were not reported by Elander et al (1992) or Hayasaka et al (1992).…”

“…Although the proportion of eyes with bacteria was lower for those with SCLs than fellow eyes (Table 1), the difference between the two groups was not significant. Other investigators have reported slightly higher rates of positive cultures from eyes with SCLs (Higaki et al 1993) or from fellow eyes (Tomii et al 1984), or equal rates from both eyes (Elander et al 1992;Hayasaka et al 1992). In these other studies, as in ours, however, none of the differences were statistically significant.…”

“…These are the best controls. Elander et al (1992) and Hayasaka et al (1992) reported culture results at the end of one week and one month wear of SCLs, respectively, in this type of study. Their reports described similar culture positive rates and bacterial species in eyes in which SCLs were worn and in fellow eyes without SCLs.…”