Fungal keratitis associated with non-therapeutic soft contact lenses

PURPOSE: To report an increase in culture,positive contact lens-associated fungal keratitis. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross,sectional laboratory study. METHODS: Microbiology records of culture-positive fungal keratitis cases from January 2004 to December 2005 were reviewed. RESULTS: Recovery of fungal pathogens among wearers of contact lenses increased from 26.7% (eight of 30) to 50% (18 of 36) of isolates in 2005. Fusarium species (66 of 122, 54.1%) were the most frequent fungal pathogens. Soft contact lens wear among the Fusarium cases more than doubled (seven of 30, 23.3%, vs 17 of 36, 47.7%, P = .046) from 2004 to 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens wear may be a risk factor in fungal keratitis.