[A tear strip test in the control of contact lens wearers]

A series of 86 contact lens wearers has been examined by tear-stix tests (35 wearing hard lenses and 51 soft). Of these, 52 showed no infection (group A), while 34 had signs and/or symptoms of infection (group B). Leucocyte-esterase positivity was seen in 8% of group A and 62% of group B. Stix-positive were 13% of group A and 85% of group B (positive leucocyte-esterase and/or positive nitrite and/or positive hemoglobin). The examinations are quick and easy to carry out, with a reasonable sensitivity and specificity.