Contact lens use after contact lens-associated infectious ulcers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with healed moderate to severe contact lens-associated corneal infectious ulcers who were re-fit with contact lenses.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied patients who were fit with contact lenses on our service and who had had moderate to severe corneal infectious ulcers associated with previous contact lens use. Six patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

Gas permeable contact lenses were fit in five patients, and a soft contact lens was fit in one patient. Successful fit was achieved in all cases and visual acuities were equal to or better than 20/30 in all patients. No significant complications were observed after a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 6-45 months).

CONCLUSION

In this small series of patients with a history of moderate to severe contact-lens related infectious keratitis, no complications were observed after contact lenses were refit. Contact lens wear in patients with a history of infectious keratitis may be safe and useful in order to achieve visual rehabilitation.