Retained Aspergillus-contaminated contact lens inducing conjunctival mass and keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent patient.

PURPOSE: A 66-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of prominent mucoid discharge and foreign body sensation in her left eye. METHODS: Ocular evaluation revealed a moderately severe superficial punctate keratitis involving the temporal half of the left cornea. The superior tarsal conjunctiva showed marked papillary reaction with an area of indentation temporally. A mass was present in the superior temporal aspect of the fornix, clinically resembling a pyogenic granuloma. At the posterior aspect of this mass and covered by mucoid material, was a soft contact lens. RESULTS: Upon removal of the lens, without any additional therapy, the patient became asymptomatic and totally resolved her keratitis and mass lesion. Cultural identification of the soft contact lens was positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that the mucoid discharge and mass lesion represented a mechanism similar to allergic fungal sinusitis.

Suction cup/contact lens complications following penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses facilitate visual rehabilitation in cases of high or irregular corneal astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty. A variety of plunger-like suction cup devices are available to assist in the removal of these lenses. METHODS: We report three patients with serious complications associated with the use of a suction cup device for contact lens removal following penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: Two patients suffered corneal wound dehiscence following contact lens removal; one contact lens was removed by the patient's spouse and the other was removed by a trained technician. A third patient triggered a graft rejection, and ultimately, graft failure, after a vigorous attempt at lens removal. CONCLUSIONS: Forces generated by suction cup devices during removal of RGP contact lenses are sufficient to cause significant trauma. Contact lenses with an apical clearance fit may augment these forces, with the potential for complications following penetrating keratoplasty.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder is an unusual benign lesion arising from the bladder submucosa. We present 2 cases and describe the clinical presentation, and radiographic and histological findings. This benign lesion must be differentiated histologically from several malignant lesions of the bladder. Complete surgical excision, either by transurethral resection or partial cystectomy, appears to be curative.

Glued-on, rigid gas-permeable contact lens for severe radiation-induced keratitis.

A 68-year-old woman with severe radiation-induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca became progressively unresponsive to conventional medical treatment. Her left eye deteriorated rapidly and required total tarsorrhaphy. In an attempt to stabilize the right eye and preserve some functional vision, we glued a high-Dk rigid, gas-permeable contact lens with tissue-grade cyanoacrylate adhesive to Bowman's membrane. This glued-on contact lens induced rapid and dramatic improvement of the patient's comfort and sight. Recent developments in high-permeability, rigid, contact-lens materials now make artificial replacement of the epithelium a potentially useful treatment for severe ocular surface disease when conventional treatment has failed.