Trends in contact lens-associated corneal ulcers

Charts of 320 patients with corneal ulcers seen on the Cornea Service of Wills Eye Hospital from July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1995, were reviewed retrospectively. Of these cases, 96 (30%) were associated with contact lens use. Ulcers in contact lens users accounted for 36% of cases in the last 6 months of 1992 and all of 1993, 20% of cases in 1994, and 29% in the first 6 months of 1995. The contact lenses most commonly associated with ulcers were disposable extended-wear lenses. They were used in 33% of contact lens-associated ulcers in 1992, 27% in 1993, 39% in 1994, and 44% in 1995. Pseudomonas was the predominant organism prior to 1993 (1-4). From 1993 to 1995, however, the number of Pseudomonas ulcers steadily decreased. Two or three Acanthamoeba infections continue to be treated each year. There has been a significant decrease in the number of contact lens-related ulcers treated at our institution compared with previous years (p < 0.01) (3, 4).