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    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a number of cases of contact lens related eye infection and urged people to properly clean and disinfect contact lens to prevent keratitis -- inflammation of the cornea of the eye.

    The appeal was made after four patients of public hospitals were reported to be suffering from microbial keratitis in July and August.  All of them were users of soft disposable contact lens.

    Initial investigation showed that the patients used various brands of disposable soft contact lenses and disinfectants.

    The patients, two men and two women aged between 19 and 51, developed symptoms of eye pain, redness and foreign body sensation.  One of them consulted Queen Mary Hospital, two consulted Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and the other consulted Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. Two required hospitalisation and all recovered after treatment.

    CHP is working with the Hospital Authority to investigate if there were other similar cases of contact lens related microbial keratitis in other hospitals for comparison.

    Keratitis is an eye condition in which the cornea of the eye is inflamed.  It is not uncommonly seen especially among contact lens users.  Patients with keratitis commonly present with eye pain, redness, foreign body sensation, and sometimes fear of light.  The condition may or may not have an infective cause.  Contact lens related microbial keratitis is usually caused by bacteria and fungus.

    Improper lens hygiene practice, such as wearing the lens overnight, smoking and wearing the lens continuously for a long time had been reported previously to be associated with increased risk of contact lens-related microbial keratitis.

    Users of soft contact lens are advised to observe the following in the prevention of contact lens associated keratitis:

* Always wash hands properly with soap and water and dry before handling contact lens, contact lens solutions or related accessories;

* Do not wet your lens with saliva, bottled water or tap water;

* Follow wearing hours and replacement schedule recommended by your optometrists/ophthalmologists;

* Storage case should be cleaned, rinsed and dried after every use to avoid micro-organism growth contamination;

* All contact lenses, solutions & accessories should be stored in a cool and dry place;

* Disinfect the case weekly by soaking in just-boiled water for 10 minutes;

* Replace case every three months;

* Follow the instruction of cleaning and disinfection procedures by your optometrists/ophthalmologists;

* Discard contact lens disinfectants after one month of opening;

* Do not wear lenses for duration longer than recommended and replace them as recommended by your optometrists/ophthalmologists;

* Regular check up by your optometrists/ophthalmologists;

* Remove the contact lens whenever you feel discomfort or redness and seek medical advice promptly if symptoms persist despite contact lens is off; and

* Consult eye doctors (ophthalmologists) if symptoms of keratitis developed such as eye pain, redness etc.

Ends/Monday, August 22, 2005

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