Colored cosmetic contact lenses: an unsafe trend in the younger generation.

PURPOSE: To identify the microbiological profile and evaluate the clinical course and outcomes in patients who developed severe infectious keratitis after colored cosmetic contact lens wear. METHODS: This case series includes 13 patients who developed severe infectious keratitis after colored cosmetic contact lens wear. A detailed history regarding contact lens availability and storage and handling techniques was taken. All patients underwent standard diagnostic microbiological evaluation followed by culture-guided topical antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: Of 13 patients, 8 were male and 5 were female, with mean age at presentation of 19 ± 3.8 years. All patients were emmetropic, and lenses were worn solely for cosmetic purposes. Seven lenses were dispensed without prescription or fitting from an unlicensed optical shop, 5 patients had shared lenses with friends/relatives, and 1 patient obtained the lens from the garbage. None of the patients followed the recommended contact lens handling and storage techniques. The causative microorganisms included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (54%), Staphylococcus aureus (25%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (17%), with 1 case of viral keratitis. In 62% of cases, ulcer size was ≥5 × 5 mm and posttreatment corrected visual acuity was 6/24 or less. All patients responded well to topical antimicrobials, and none required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Over-the-counter use of decorative lenses as a cosmetic aid is rapidly increasing. Easy and unmonitored availability of these cosmetic lenses is followed by severe sight-threatening complications in young emmetropic individuals.

Application of amniotic membrane transplantation in cases of symblepharon.

Injuries to the eye causing ocular surface damage may develop symblepharon as a complication in which palpebral conjunctiva got adhered to the bulbar conjunctiva or cornea. Removal of adhesions is must for ocular surface reconstruction but chances of recurrence are more in simple removal. A study was done among 10 eyes of 10 patients to see the efficacy, safety and outcome of symblepharon excision with amniotic membrane transplantation. All the patients were operated by a single surgeon with standard technique and all of them were followed up for 6 months. All eyes exhibit a stable, intact corneal epithelial surface and healthy conjunctival growth without developing recurrent erosion or persistent epithelial defect. Visual improvement was seen in 60% of cases. Eighty per cent patients showed symptomatic relief. All eyes exhibited decreased vascularisation and inflammation at final follow-up. Thus, amniotic membrane transplantation is very effective in ocular surface reconstruction in cases of symblepharon and limbal stem cell deficiency.