Corneal ulcer of fungus origin associated with contact lens use

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Corneal ulcer of fungus origin associated with contact lens use.

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3/29/2006 2:57:00 PM EST

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Cornea specialists at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University

of Miami School of Medicine have documented an increased

incidence of an aggressive form of fungal corneal infection that

appears to be related to soft contact lens use. C. Alfonso,

M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and W.D. Norton Chair in

Ophthalmology, confirms treating an unusually large number of

patients with fusarium keratitis, a potentially sight-threatening

corneal infection normally associated with eye trauma involving

fungus from plant or vegetable matter or soil.

" This is quickly becoming a cause for alarm. We have mobilized

cornea specialists throughout the world to hasten our understanding

of the spread of this particular type of fungus and have learned of

a sudden increase in the number of cases in the U.S., Singapore,

Malaysia and Australia, " said Alfonso, cornea and external disease

specialist and Medical Director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's

Microbiology Laboratory.

This high incidence of fungal corneal infections is unprecedented as

most corneal infections related to contact lens use had previous

been bacterial in nature, which is significantly less complicated to

treat than fungal infections. Soft contact lens use has been the

only identified risk factor in the majority of the cases seen

between January and March 2006 at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's

Miami facility, where 21 cases have been identified of which 12 are

contact lens users. Between 2000 and 2005, the average number of

fusarium keratitis cases was 21 per year. Usually, less than 2

percent of these cases have been in contact lens users. Keratitis is

a term used to define a wide variety of infections, irritations, and

inflammations of the cornea, the transparent covering of the front

of the eye. Keratitis is also known as a corneal ulcer.

These findings create an added concern for cornea specialists. " An

increased danger exists in that eye care specialists, who may

routinely see contact lens wearers develop bacterial infections, may

not be aware of this marked increase in fungal infection and may not

take cultures. The delay in proper treatment for fusarium keratitis

may make it more difficult to treat later on, " explained Alfonso.

Speculation about the source of the infection has baffled cornea

specialists worldwide. While most species of fusarium are more

common in tropical and subtropical areas, some inhabit the soil in

cold climates. Bascom Palmer's ophthalmologists continue careful

scrutiny to find a common denominator.

Current treatment for fusarium keratitis may include anti-fungal

medication. Some patients with this fungal infection have

experienced a significant loss of vision, resulting in the need for

a corneal transplant.

Bascom Palmer doctors urge anyone who experiences the following

symptoms to contact an ophthalmologist immediately:

-- Sudden blurred vision

-- Unusual redness

-- Pain in your eye

-- Excessive tearing or discharge from your eye

-- Increased light sensitivity

" While we continue to search for the source of these increased

infections, it is imperative that soft contact lens users are

reminded of the importance of safe handling, storage and cleaning of

their lenses, " added Alfonso.

Proper care of contact lenses

-- Wash your hands with soap and dry them using a lint-free towel

prior to handling contact lenses or touching your eye.

-- Wear your contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by

your doctor.

-- Properly clean and disinfect your contact lenses each time you

remove them from your eyes.

-- Lenses must be rubbed with the fingers and rinsed thoroughly

before soaking overnight in a multi-purpose solution.

-- Daily cleaning is necessary to remove mucous, film and eye

residue, while disinfecting kills germs that may cause eye

infections.

-- Immediately after you insert your contact lenses, clean your

contact lens case. Allow it to dry and keep it open until your

lenses are replaced in it. Fill the lens case with enough solution

to cover the lens.

-- Disposable contact lenses must not be used beyond their

recommended disposal period.

-- Your contact lens solution must be changed everyday, even if the

lenses are not used daily.

-- Replace your contact lens storage case every three months.

About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami School

of Medicine is ranked the best eye hospital in the nation by U.S.

News & World Report. Having earned an international reputation as

one of the premier providers of eye care in the world, Bascom Palmer

is also ranked #1 in patient care and #1 in residency training by

Ophthalmology Times. As the largest ophthalmic care, research and

educational facility in the southeastern United States, more than

200,000 patients with nearly every ophthalmic condition are treated

each year and more than 10,000 surgeries are performed annually.

Founded in 1962, Bascom Palmer has patient care facilities in Miami,

Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, and Plantation, Florida. For additional

information about Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, please contact

Birch at (305) 326-6190, bpeicommunications@... or

visit the website at http://www.bascompalmer.org

CONTACT:

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami Birch, 305-326-6190

cbirch@...