Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
The CMGs are guidelines on the diagnosis and management of a range of common and rare, but important, eye conditions that present with varying frequency in primary and first contact care.
The CMGs are guidelines on the diagnosis and management of a range of common and rare, but important, eye conditions that present with varying frequency in primary and first contact care.
Contact lens-associated infiltrative events, including:
The aetiology of this condition is inflammatory, not infective. Though it is bacteria-related, bacteria do not invade or replicate in the cornea and there is no progression to infection, nor is the condition a marker for increased risk of microbial keratitis, which is a separate disease entity
CL-associated infiltrative keratitis is considered to be a response to microbial (usually Staphylococcal) antigens, derived from bacteria on the lens or on the lid margin. Micro-organisms cannot usually be recovered from the lesions
Incidence of contact lens associated inflammatory events in daily disposable silicon hydrogel lenses has been reported as 0.4% per year of wear; incidence is higher in re-usable lenses and much higher in extended wear
Bacterial bioburden of eyelid margins, contact lenses and contact lens cases
Multipurpose contact lens solutions
Poor hand hygiene
Smoking
Eye moderately red and slightly watery
Mild foreign body sensation
Mild photophobia
(NB: symptoms vary in severity; some cases are asymptomatic)
Peripheral anterior stromal infiltrate, single or multiple
Usually small (generally less than 1.0mm in diameter)
Overlying epithelium usually stains with fluorescein
Conjunctival hyperaemia, mild
Epiphora, mild (or absent)
Anterior chamber quiet or mildly inflamed
No lid oedema
Usually unilateral
Microbial (bacterial or fungal) keratitis
Marginal keratitis
Corneal scar
Herpes simplex keratitis
Adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis
Practitioners should recognise their limitations and where necessary seek further advice or refer the patient elsewhere
GRADE* Level of evidence and strength of recommendation always relates to the statement(s) immediately above
Temporarily discontinue lens wear
Advise against extended wear
Warn about possibility of recurrence. If condition recurs, switch to disposable CLs
Lid hygiene if blepharitis present
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=strong)
Ocular lubricants for symptomatic relief
Oral antibiotic (tetracycline group) may be indicated for blepharitis (see Clinical Management Guideline on Blepharitis)
(GRADE*: Level of evidence=low, Strength of recommendation=weak)
B2: alleviation / palliation: normally no referral
Not normally referred
*GRADE: Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (www.gradeworkinggroup.org)
Sources of evidence
Chalmers RL, Hickson-Curran SB, Keay L, Gleason WJ, Albright R. Rates of adverse events with hydrogel and silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses in a large postmarket surveillance registry: the TEMPO Registry. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56(1):654-63
Richdale K, Lam DY, Wagner H, Zimmerman AB, Kinoshita BT, Chalmers R, Sorbara L, Szczotka-Flynn L, Govindarajulu U, Mitchell GL. Case-Control Pilot Study of Soft Contact Lens Wearers With Corneal Infiltrative Events and Healthy Controls. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016;57(1):47-55
Sweeney DF, Jalbert I, Covey M, Sankaridurg PR, Vajdic C, Holden BA, Sharma S, Ramachandran L, Willcox MD, Rao GN. Clinical characterization of corneal infiltrative events observed with soft contact lens wear. Cornea. 2003;22:435-42
Szczotka-Flynn L, Jiang Y, Raghupathy S, Bielefeld RA, Garvey MT, Jacobs MR, Kern J, Debanne SM. Corneal inflammatory events with daily silicone hydrogel lens wear. Optom Vis Sci. 2014;91:3-12
This condition, affecting contact lens wearers, has been given many different names. It is an inflammation of the cornea (the clear window of the eye) caused by a reaction to bacteria on the surface of the contact lens. Patients experience slight discomfort, redness and watering of the eye (it usually affects just one eye) and they may be unduly sensitive to light. The optometrist will see a small opaque area or areas near the edge of the cornea, plus inflammation of the white of the eye.
The most important task of the optometrist is to distinguish between this condition and an actual infection of the cornea, which is a sight-threatening emergency. Stopping contact lens wear usually allows the symptoms and most of the signs to resolve within 48 hours.
Patients will usually need to be reminded of contact lens hygiene measures, including hand washing before handling their lenses, the need to replace their lens case frequently and avoiding overnight wear of their lenses.
Keratitis, CL-associated infiltrative
Version 5
Date of search 20.05.17
Date of revision 20.09.17
Date of publication 05.12.17
Date for review 19.05.19
© College of Optometrists
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