Studies raise concern over new modalities

Two major studies examining microbial keratitis (MK) in contact lens wearers are about to be published in a forthcoming issue of Ophthalmology.

Both look at the potential risk factors among a population attending eye hospitals and are aimed at studying the contact lens population now that silicone hydrogels (SiH) and daily disposable lenses (DDs) have started making inroads into the market. It might be assumed that both these modalities might decrease the incidence of MK, but that does not seem to be the case.

Indeed, not only does MK of any severity appear more likely among SiH and DD lens wearers, it also appears with sufficient frequency to suggest significant non-compliance with instruction on the part of the patient.