Microbial changes in the ocular environment with contact lens wear

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology
• Contact Lens Research

Background:

• The ocular surface harbors a complex microbial community, the conjunctival flora.
• Contact lens wear is a known risk factor for microbial keratitis.
• Understanding changes in ocular flora due to contact lens wear is crucial for infection prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of soft contact lens wear on the normal conjunctival flora.
• To compare bacterial cultures from lens-wearing eyes versus control eyes.
• To assess microbial changes after daily versus extended wear schedules.

Main Methods:

• 30 subjects wore soft contact lenses (disposable or non-disposable) on a daily or extended wear schedule.
• Conjunctival cultures of the inferior cul-de-sac were performed at baseline and after one week.
• Contact lenses were also cultured after the wear period; fellow eyes served as controls.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in bacterial culture results were observed between contact lens-wearing eyes and control eyes.
• No significant microbial differences were found between pre-wear and post-wear cultures.
• Analysis of different wear schedules and lens types revealed no significant changes in conjunctival flora.

Conclusions:

• One week of soft contact lens wear does not appear to significantly alter the normal conjunctival flora.
• The study questions whether altered ocular flora is a primary cause of infectious keratitis in contact lens wearers.
• Further research may be needed to explore the relationship between ocular flora and contact lens-related infections.