Daily disposable lenses reduce severity of bacterial keratitis cases

Although no specific contact lens types or materials appear to be linked to the occurrence of bacterial keratitis, certain behaviors—such as smoking and wearing reusable lenses—significantly increased the risk of severe disease, according to a study.

The study enrolled 153 cases of bacterial keratitis and 158 high-risk contact lens wearers with no history of disease as controls. Researchers investigated whether specific lens types, modalities, or handling practices contributed to the risk of keratitis.

There was no significant association between lens material or type (eg, daily disposable vs reusable lenses) and the occurrence of bacterial keratitis. However, 67.3% of cases were classified as severe. Among these, current smoking and the use of reusable lenses were linked to an increased risk of severe disease. In contrast, daily disposable lenses offered protection against severe keratitis, even when participants did not fully comply with proper wear and care guidelines.

Reference
Szczotka-Flynn LB, Raghupathy S, Shah S, et al. Risk Factors for Bacterial Keratitis and Severe Disease in Hydrogel Contact Lens Users: A Multicenter Case-Control Study and Case-Only Analysis. Eye Contact Lens. 2024;doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001125. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39252204.