AIDS and the contact lens practice

The probability of the ophthalmologist and office personnel coming into direct contact with a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is extremely high. HIV has been recovered from the ocular tissues, tears, and soft contact lenses of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. All ophthalmic offices, especially those with a contact lens practice, must be aware of any potential risk of transmission of HIV to both the office staff and to other patients from HIV-infected patients through the use of trial contact lenses. To date, there has been no documented case of HIV transmission through human tears or contact lenses, and the risk of such a transmission is extremely low.