CONTACT-LENS WEAR BY HOSPITAL HEALTH-CARE STAFF - IS THERE CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Microbial keratitis can occur in association with contact lens wear. T he absolute risk of infection is low but may be enhanced as a conseque nce of increased exposure to potentially pathogenic microbes in a hosp ital setting. There is variation in risk depending on type of lens wor n and its modality of use. Extended-wear lenses carry the greatest ris k. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acanthamoeba are causes of potentially d evastating ocular infections in contact lens wearers. The risk of thes e infections could be reduced by fastidious hygiene practice. Hydrogen peroxide disinfection is recommended when a storage case is included in the care regimen. This should be cleaned thoroughly and dried prior to disinfection and never exposed to tap water. Daily wear of one-day 'disposable' soft contact lenses or use of rigid gas permeable lenses is recommended for hospital staff. Contact lenses should be removed i mmediately and discarded or disinfected if the eye becomes contaminate d and/or use of an eyewash is required.