Differentiation of corneal complications observed in contact lens wearers

Corneal epithelial cystic formations and epithelial infiltrates are relatively common in contact lens patients. Accurate diagnosis of these conditions is needed for proper management of the patient, but the observation and differential diagnosis is hampered by the minute size and similar biomicroscopic appearance of these conditions. This paper presents a description of these subtle formations and the slit lamp techniques for differentiating epithelial microcysts, vacuoles, bullae, and infiltrates. The clinical significance of these conditions is also discussed.