Bacterial corneal ulcers in cosmetic soft contact lens wearers

Soft contact lenses provide a safe alternative to spectacles for more than 1 million patients. However, the hazard of bacterial corneal ulcers exists. This report describes five cosmetic soft contact lens wearers who developed bacterial corneal ulcers. In three cases, the resulting visual acuity was 6/120 or less. Possible sources of contamination are discussed, but in no case was it determined.