CL infection rates explored

The safety of extended wear contact lenses has been a subject of debate for some time. Four years ago, high profile manufacturers defended their products after fears of infection during overnight wear were broadcast (News, July 23 1999).
Now every optometrist and ophthalmologist in Australia and New Zealand is being asked to help with the study.
The project is a collaboration between Sydney's Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit (CCLRU) at the University of New South Wales and the country's Institute for Eye Research. It is being carried out as Moorfields Eye Hospital undertakes parallel research.
Dr Fiona Stapleton, director of the microbial keratitis study at the CCLRU, said the research would be 'a major step forward' in understanding microbial keratitis and contact lens wear.
'Silicone hydrogels have been available since 1999 in both Australia and New Zealand,' she said. 'It is vital that optometrists and ophthalmologists join us in the study. After all, this is information that practitioners want to know, in order to make the best decisions for their patients.'
The 400 optometrists and 750 ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand are to be asked to report every two months whether contact lens-related corneal infections are seen in 15-64 year-olds.
The researchers expect 200-250 cases over the 12-month study period, and have emphasised that it is just as important for practitioners to report that they have not seen any cases.
The research unit has stated that the number of silicone hydrogel wearers is estimated at 900,000, with silicone hydrogels the fastest growing segment of the contact lens sector.
In Australia, there was a 46 per cent growth in value in the silicone hydrogels market in 2001-2002, and silicone hydrogels now comprise 16 per cent of the total worldwide contact lens market.
For more information on this research email CCLRU at: K.Evanscrcert.unsw.edu.au