Herpes Simplex epithelial keratitis associated with daily disposable contact lens wear

To report a case of epithelial Herpes Simplex keratitis in a patient wearing daily disposable contact lenses.

Case report.

A 30-year-old female contact lens wearer presented to the emergency clinic with a painful, red left eye associated with an acute reduction of vision over 48 h. On examination, confluent dendritic ulcers were present on the cornea. Neither pertinent ocular nor medical history was obtained to explain such a dramatic clinical presentation.

Contact lens wear was the only risk factor identified, perhaps resulting in deviation of the immune response at the ocular surface, with consequent extensive dendritic ulceration.