Risk Factors for Contact Lens Related Microbial
Keratitis: A Case-Control Study
Wipawee Booranapong MD*, Pinnita Prabhasawat MD*,
Panida Kosrirukvongs MD*, Yingpan Tarawatcharasart MD*
Affiliation :
* Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the risk factors that may contribute to microbial keratitis in contact lens wearers.
Material and Method: This prospective case-control study included 52 patients with contact lens related keratitis treated
between 1 December 2006 and 15 October 2007 at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital. Controls were sixty-three contact
lens users attending with disorders unrelated to contact lens wear. All subjects with informed consent were interviewed about
demographic data, types of contact lens and contact lens solutions, contact lens use past the recommended replacement date,
overnight wear, and lens hygiene. Odds ratio (OR, estimates of relative risks) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were
calculated through multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results : The use of contact lens past the replacement date caused the highest risk of developing microbial keratitis (OR = 9.1;
CI 1.8-45.4, p = 0.005). Overnight wear of lenses (OR = 2.9, CI 1.3-6.2, p = 0.012) and poor lens hygiene (OR = 2.3,
CI 1.0-5.1, p = 0.007) significantly increased the risk of microbial keratitis, respectively. None of the other risk factors showed
a significant association.
Conclusion : The significant risk factors for contact lens related microbial keratitis in the present study were the use of contact
lens past the replacement date, overnight wear, and poor lens hygiene. Thus, the appropriate advice of contact lens care and
usage may reduce the risk of microbial keratitis in contact lens wearers.
Keywords : Contact lens, Microbial keratitis, Risk factor, Infection
All Articles
Download