Article: Fungal growth on soft contact lenses: a SEM-study

Three soft contact lenses of the HEMA type, discarded because of irritation of the cornea, were processed for and subsequently examined with the SEM, A large portion of the convex surface was covered with globular deposits of fungal spores. Cross-fractures of lenses showed penetration of the fungi into the matrix material of the lenses. The concave surface of the contact lenses showed at two points imprints of the epithelial cells of the cornea in the deposited material on that side of the lenses.

Citing Articles

Colonization of hydrophilic contact lenses by yeast.

Soledad Marques-Calvo M J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2004; 31(6):255-60.

PMID: 15221665 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-004-0141-x.

References

1.

Yamamoto G, Stowe 3rd G, Albert D . Fungal invasion of a therapeutic soft contact lens and cornea. Ann Ophthalmol. 1979; 11(11):1731-5. View

2.

Bloomfield S, Jakobiec F, THEODORE F . Contact lens induced keratopathy: a severe complication extending the spectrum of keratoconjunctivitis in contact lens wearers. Ophthalmology. 1984; 91(3):290-4. DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(84)34308-1. View

3.

Ando N, Takatori K . Fungal flora of the conjunctival sac. Am J Ophthalmol. 1982; 94(1):67-74. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9394(82)90193-3. View

4.

Margulies L, Mannis M . Dendritic corneal lesions associated with soft contact lens wear. Arch Ophthalmol. 1983; 101(10):1551-3. DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1983.01040020553009. View

5.

Pitts R, Krachmer J . Evaluation of soft contact lens disinfection in the home environment. Arch Ophthalmol. 1979; 97(3):470-2. DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1979.01020010220005. View

6.

Lemp M, Gold J . The effects of extended-wear hydrophilic contact lenses on the human corneal epithelium. Am J Ophthalmol. 1986; 101(3):274-7. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9394(86)90818-4. View

7.

Hart D, Tidsale R, Sack R . Origin and composition of lipid deposits on soft contact lenses. Ophthalmology. 1986; 93(4):495-503. DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(86)33709-6. View

8.

Horowitz G, Lin J, Chew H . An unusual corneal complication of soft contact lens. Am J Ophthalmol. 1985; 100(6):794-7. DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)73369-0. View

9.

Mahieu H, Van Saene H, Rosingh H, Schutte H . Candida vegetations on silicone voice prostheses. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1986; 112(3):321-5. DOI: 10.1001/archotol.1986.03780030085017. View

10.

Berger R, Streeten B . Fungal growth in aphakic soft contact lenses. Am J Ophthalmol. 1981; 91(5):630-3. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9394(81)90064-7. View

11.

Dreyer V, JENSEN O, Prause J . Morphological, histochemical and X-ray microanalytical examination of deposits on soft contact lenses in extended wearing. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 1979; 57(5):847-59. DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1979.tb01852.x. View

12.

Wilson L, Ahearn D, Jones D, SEXTON R . Fungi from the normal outer eye. Am J Ophthalmol. 1969; 67(1):52-6. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9394(69)90007-5. View

Fungal Growth on Soft Contact Lenses: a SEM-study