J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2009 Jun;50(6):927-935. 10.3341/jkos.2009.50.6.927.

Cosmetic Contact Lens-related Complications: 9 Cases

• Park SJ
• Lee SM
• Kim MK
• Han YK
• Wee WR
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2212373
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2009.50.6.927

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the complications resulting from incorrect use of cosmetic contact lenses.
CASE SUMMARY
The medical records of 9 patients with complications related to cosmetic contact lenses were retrospectively reviewed. All 9 patients had corneal erosion, and 2 patients had corneal epithelial defects. Corneal neovascularization more than 2 mm from the limbus was observed in 3 patients and one of the patients received a permanent impairment of visual acuity. Seven patients were not educated on the management of contact lenses and 2 patients had previous experience using contact lenses. None of the patients acquired any information or proper instructions regarding their cosmetic contact lenses. During the follow-up examination, 5 out of 6 patients had symptom relief after: 1) discontinuance of using the cosmetic contact lenses or 2) proper education of contact lens use with topical antibiotics and artificial tears.
CONCLUSIONS
Many cosmetic contact lens users have insufficient information on usage of contact lenses. Providing proper education to cosmetic contact lens users is very important. Cosmetic contact lens users should have ophthalmic checkups on a regular basis. In addition, illegal production and sales of cosmetic contact lenses must be strictly regulated to prevent complications caused by inferior products.

Keyword

Complications; Corneal erosion; Cosmetic contact lens; Limbal insufficiency; Soft contact lens

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Commerce
Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic
Corneal Neovascularization
Cosmetics
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Medical Records
Ophthalmic Solutions
Retrospective Studies
Visual Acuity
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cosmetics
Ophthalmic Solutions

Figure

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  Figure 1. Punctate epithelial erosion along the corneal margin (A=right eye; B=left eye).

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  Figure 2. Tangential power maps of corneal topography. Note the increased tangential power of the superior cornea (A=right eye; B=left eye).

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  Figure 3. (A, B) New vessels from the limbus to center the of the cornea and subepithelial opacity of whole cornea (A=right eye; B=left eye), (C, D) Diffuse punctuate epithelial erosion (C=right eye; B=left eye).

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  Figure 4. Ingrowth of new vessels about 2∼3 mm from the superior limbus to center of cornea (A=right eye; B=left eye).

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  Figure 5. Ingrowth of new vessels about 4∼6 mm (A) and 2∼3 mm (B) from the superior limbus to the center of the cornea (A=right eye; B=left eye)

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  Figure 6. (A) Two corneal epithelial defects with diffuse punctuate epithelial erosion (right eye). (B) Diffuse punctuate epithelial erosion (left eye).

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  Figure 7. Inferiorly decentered cosmetic contact lens and tinted area of contact lens blocked the pupil.

Reference

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