Circinate-pattern interstitial keratopathy in daily wear soft contact lens wearers

Three male and two female patients (aged 16 to 22 years) developed bilateral deep corneal stromal vascularization and circinate-pattern lipid exudation resembling interstitial keratitis after wearing adequately fitting hydrogel daily wear soft contact lenses comfortably for periods of ten to 24 months. The circinate pattern consisted of lipid deposition in circular distribution either parallel to the limbus or around a deep stromal blood vessel. All had negative serologic test results for syphilis. The cause of these changes is uncertain.