Bacterial keratitis is the infection of the cornea that leads to pain, redness, and blurred vision. Those who wear contact lenses are susceptible to this disease. Low maintenance and cleaning of the lenses is one reason. The condition can also be caused by injury or bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study looks at the contact lens and corneal cultures to manage infected patients.
The study determines the agreement between contact lens cultures and corneal scrapings. A total of 72 patients with contact-lens associated keratitis were involved. Their electronic medical records with 80 eyes were reviewed. Both corneal scrapings and contact lens cultures were obtained for the study. Group 1 showed agreement between the scrapings and cultures. While Group 2 had growth in both cultures but were negative for isolated organisms. Group 3 had a growth in contact lens cultures but were negative for corneal cultures.
Data analysis of 135 incidences of microbiological results was carried out. Group 1, 2, and 3 had 9, 60, and 66 or 6.7%, 44.4%, and 49% incidences respectively. 50% of Group 3 cases were treated based on contact lens culture data. Pseudomonas was the most common bacteria that was isolated.
Corneal and contact lens cultures disagreed in 89% of cases with isolated bacteria. No statistical differences were present in the three groups for presenting a vision, antibiotic usage, keratitis complications, last follow-up visit, and other baseline characteristics. Contact lens cultures were useful in effectively treating the patients.
Ref: https://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2020/12/23/bjophthalmol-2020-317832
