Peripheral corneal infiltrates associated with contact lens wear

We describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of peripheral corneal infiltrates associated with contact lens wear.

We conducted a retrospective study of 52 patients with contact lens associated peripheral corneal infiltrates. Demographic data, clinical characteristics of the infiltrates, contact lens parameters, treatment modality, and the time to resolution for the infiltrates were analyzed.

Forty-four of the 52 patients in this study presented with a single infiltrate, while the remaining 8 patients had multiple infiltrates. Types of contact lenses worn were as follows: 40% of the patients wore disposable extended wear contact lenses; 21% wore conventional extended wear lenses; 19% wore conventional daily wear lenses; 12% used frequent replacement daily wear lenses; 6% wore rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses; and 2% used disposable lenses as daily wear. Although there was no predilection for a specific quadrant of the cornea, when a subgroup of extended wear contact lens patients was analyzed, 19 of their 40 infiltrates were located in the superior quadrant. The epithelium was intact in 42% of the infiltrates, while 58% of the infiltrates had epithelial involvement, either punctate staining or frank defect. Eight of the 16 patients who had corneal cultures performed had positive cultures. All patients who had positive cultures used extended wear contact lenses. Smoking did not appear to have an effect on the associated inflammatory reaction, positive cultures, or time to resolution. Seventy-five percent of patients were treated with topical antibiotics. Antibiotic steroids were prescribed for 23% of patients, and 2% of patients were treated with topical steroids. The mean time to resolution for all infiltrates was 1.74 weeks.

Focal peripheral infiltrates with or without epithelial disturbance represent a distinct clinical complication associated with contact lens wear. All patients in this study had resolution of their infiltrates without complications. We recommend that after resolution of corneal infiltrates, patients should be refit with daily wear soft or RGP contact lenses.