Fungal ring infiltrates in disposable contact lens wearers

Abstract

Purpose: To report two cases of ring infiltrates in disposable contact lens wearers resembling Acanthamoeba keratitis but later identified as fungus.

Methods: We report two patients with histories of disposable soft contact lens use, who, on initial presentation, were found to have corneal ring infiltrates and were treated for presumed Acanthamoeba keratitis. Microbiological studies, which included Gram stain and Gomori methenamine silver stain, as well as blood agar, chocolate agar, thioglycolate broth, Sabouraud agar, nonnutrient agar with Escherichia coli overlay, and Lowenstein-Jensen plates, were performed.

Results: Microbiological studies revealed fungi in both cases.

Conclusions: Fungal keratitis is an uncommon complication of disposable soft contact lens use, but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of corneal ring infiltrates.