Continuous wear silicone hydrogel contact lenses and microbial keratitis

Like other lens types, the new generation of silicone hydrogel contact lenses can be associated with a spectrum of ocular complications. Most tend to be very minor, but serious and sight-threatening complications can occur. We present four such cases with microbial keratitis following extended wear of these lenses. Cultures were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in three cases and all three of these suffered lasting visual impairment. We describe our findings and discuss possible risk factors.