Adhesion of Acanthamoeba on Cosmetic Contact Lenses

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites on cosmetic contact lenses (CLs) with and without CL care multipurpose solution (MPS) treatment. METHODS: Acanthamoeba lugdunensis L3a trophozoites were inoculated onto disks trimmed from CLs: 1-day Acuvue moist, 1-day Acuvue define, Acuvue 2, and Acuvue 2 define. After 18-hour inoculation, the number of adherent trophozoites was counted under phase contrast microscopy. The effects of MPS, Opti-Free Express, soaking CLs for 6 hours, on Acanthamoeba adhesion were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic examination was performed for assessment of Acanthamoeba attached on the lens surface. RESULTS: Acanthamoeba trophozoites showed greater adhesion to cosmetic CL (P = 0.017 for 1-day CL and P = 0.009 for 2-week CL) although there was no significant difference between the types of cosmetic CL. On all lenses, the number of adherent Acanthamoeba was significantly reduced after treatment with MPS (P < 0.001 for 1-day Acuvue moist, P = 0.046 for 1-day Acuvue define, P < 0.001 for Acuvue 2, and P = 0.015 for Acuvue 2 define), but there was still significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs (P = 0.003 for 1-day CL and P < 0.001 for 2-week CL, respectively). More attachment of Acanthamoeba was observed on colored area and the acanthopodia of Acanthamoeba was placed on the rough surface of colored area. CONCLUSION: Acanthamoeba showed a greater affinity for cosmetic CL and mostly attached on colored area. Although MPS that contained myristamidopropyl dimethylamine reduced the adhesion rate, there was a significant difference between conventional and cosmetic CLs.

Clinical Features and Compliance in Patients with Cosmetic Contact Lens-Related Complications

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features and compliance of cosmetic contact lens (CL)-related complications compared with soft CL-related complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 97 patients (194 eyes) regarded as having CL-related complications at the outpatient clinic. The portion of complications, gender, age, and chief complaints at the initial visit were analyzed, as was compliance to cosmetic and soft CL-related guidelines for use. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (49 patients with cosmetic CL-related complications and 43 patients with soft CL-related complications) were evaluated. The mean age of the subjects using cosmetic CL was 19.8 years (14-31 years), and all the patients were female. The chief complaints at the initial visit included ocular pain, injection, blurred vision, dryness, itching and foreign body sensation. The main complications included corneal erosion, sterile corneal infiltrate, allergic disease, neovascularization, corneal ulcer and dry eye syndrome. No statistical difference was found regarding chief complaints or complications. The proportion of patients lost to follow-up was 47% in cosmetic CL-related and 20% in soft CL-related complications, a significant difference (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Because young females are the most common CL patients and do not always fully comply with the guidelines for use, ophthalmologists need to warn these patients about the risk of serious complications.

Comparison of Surface Roughness and Bacterial Adhesion between Cosmetic Contact Lenses and Conventional Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: To determine the surface roughness of cosmetic and conventional contact lenses (CLs) and their susceptibility to bacterial adhesion. METHODS: Concave surface roughness of cosmetic and conventional hydrogel (Etafilcon A) CLs was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In particular, the surface of the color tinted area of cosmetic CLs was measured. CLs were immersed into a bacterial solution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 1, 12, or 24 hours and culture of P. aeruginosa that had adhered to the CLs was performed. RESULTS: Concave surface roughness of cosmetic CLs significantly increased compared with conventional CLs by AFM (p 0.9, p < 0.05). By SEM, P. aeruginosa had adhered to the color-tinted area more than to the non-color-tinted area of cosmetic CLs. CONCLUSIONS: Surface of cosmetic CLs was significantly rougher and initial adhesion of bacteria was higher to cosmetic CLs than to conventional CLs. In particular, an increased number of bacteria was found to be adhered to the color-tinted area of cosmetic CLs. Initial bacterial adhesion is important because it is the first stage of bacterial attachment process to any surface. After then, the adherent bacteria can progress to form a biofilm. Increased surface roughness of CLs contributes to opportunities for the CL to come into contact with bacteria, and thus, initial bacterial adhesion increases. In this study, it is clear that cosmetic CLs are more vulnerable to bacterial adhesion. To avoid serious complications, such as bacterial keratitis, the manufacturing process for smoothing and treating the surface in order to inhibit bacterial adhesion should be developed in the future.

Comparison of Surface Roughness and Bacterial Adhesion between Cosmetic Contact Lenses and Conventional Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: To determine the surface roughness of cosmetic and conventional contact lenses (CLs) and their susceptibility to bacterial adhesion. METHODS: Concave surface roughness of cosmetic and conventional hydrogel (Etafilcon A) CLs was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In particular, the surface of the color tinted area of cosmetic CLs was measured. CLs were immersed into a bacterial solution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 1, 12, or 24 hours and culture of P. aeruginosa that had adhered to the CLs was performed. RESULTS: Concave surface roughness of cosmetic CLs significantly increased compared with conventional CLs by AFM (p 0.9, p < 0.05). By SEM, P. aeruginosa had adhered to the color-tinted area more than to the non-color-tinted area of cosmetic CLs. CONCLUSIONS: Surface of cosmetic CLs was significantly rougher and initial adhesion of bacteria was higher to cosmetic CLs than to conventional CLs. In particular, an increased number of bacteria was found to be adhered to the color-tinted area of cosmetic CLs. Initial bacterial adhesion is important because it is the first stage of bacterial attachment process to any surface. After then, the adherent bacteria can progress to form a biofilm. Increased surface roughness of CLs contributes to opportunities for the CL to come into contact with bacteria, and thus, initial bacterial adhesion increases. In this study, it is clear that cosmetic CLs are more vulnerable to bacterial adhesion. To avoid serious complications, such as bacterial keratitis, the manufacturing process for smoothing and treating the surface in order to inhibit bacterial adhesion should be developed in the future.

Pigment Deposition of Cosmetic Contact Lenses on the Cornea after Intense Pulsed-Light Treatment

We report a case of corneal deposition of pigments from cosmetic contact lenses after intense pulsed-light (IPL) therapy. A 30-year-old female visited our outpatient clinic with ocular pain and epiphora in both eyes; these symptoms developed soon after she had undergone facial IPL treatment. She was wearing cosmetic contact lenses throughout the IPL procedure. At presentation, her uncorrected visual acuity was 2/20 in both eyes, and the slit-lamp examination revealed deposition of the color pigment of the cosmetic contact lens onto the corneal epithelium. We scraped the corneal epithelium along with the deposited pigments using a no. 15 blade; seven days after the procedure, the corneal epithelium had healed without any complications. This case highlights the importance of considering the possibility of ocular complications during IPL treatment, particularly in individuals using contact lenses. To prevent ocular damage, IPL procedures should be performed only after removing the lenses and applying eyeshields.

Corneal Melting and Descemetocele Resulting From Noninfectious Keratitis Related to the Cosmetic Contact Lenses

PURPOSE:To report 2 cases of corneal melting and corneal melting with descemetocele that occurred in users of cosmetic contact lenses. CASE SUMMARY: A-12-year-old and a 13-year-old female who used cosmetic contact lenses were referred to our clinic under the preliminary diagnosis of keratitis and corneal melting. The patients had purchased the lenses from an optician and had worn the lenses for approximately 1 month without being educated on their proper use. The signs and symptoms improved after 2 weeks of treatment with oral steroid and 1% topical prednisolone acetate. However, descemetocele occurred in the 12-year-old patient. Reepithelization of the cornea had been completed within the treatment period. However, corneal thinning with mild opacity remained in the lesions, and the best corrected visual acuities on the Snellen chart were 20/30 in both patients.

Cosmetic Contact Lens-related Complications: 9 Cases

PURPOSE: To report the complications resulting from incorrect use of cosmetic contact lenses. CASE SUMMARY: The medical records of 9 patients with complications related to cosmetic contact lenses were retrospectively reviewed. All 9 patients had corneal erosion, and 2 patients had corneal epithelial defects. Corneal neovascularization more than 2 mm from the limbus was observed in 3 patients and one of the patients received a permanent impairment of visual acuity. Seven patients were not educated on the management of contact lenses and 2 patients had previous experience using contact lenses. None of the patients acquired any information or proper instructions regarding their cosmetic contact lenses. During the follow-up examination, 5 out of 6 patients had symptom relief after: 1) discontinuance of using the cosmetic contact lenses or 2) proper education of contact lens use with topical antibiotics and artificial tears. CONCLUSIONS: Many cosmetic contact lens users have insufficient information on usage of contact lenses. Providing proper education to cosmetic contact lens users is very important. Cosmetic contact lens users should have ophthalmic checkups on a regular basis. In addition, illegal production and sales of cosmetic contact lenses must be strictly regulated to prevent complications caused by inferior products.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis Related to Cosmetic Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of Acanthamoeba keratitis in both eyes related to cosmetic contact lenses. METHODS: A 17-year-old girl with a history of wearing cosmetic contact lenses presented with keratitis. She purchased cosmetic contact lenses on the internet, and used contact lens care system irregularly with tap water. RESULTS: After analysis of the corneal scraping, the contact lenses and the storage solution, the organism Acanthamoeba was identified. The patient was treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and chlorhexidine for 3 months, and recovered with normal visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Poor hygiene and insufficient disinfection may be major risk factors for Acanthameoba keratitis in cosmetic contact lens wearers. The cosmetic contact lens user should receive professional advice before using these lenses, and this precaution must be communicated to the public.