Invasion of the therapeutic contact lens by a rare fungal species presenting as the acute red eye: A case report

Abstract

Therapeutic contact lens used in the treatment of non-infective corneal pathologies are prone to infection by microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Bacteria cause the majority of contact lens-related infections. Although rare, fungal invasion of soft contact lenses is a potentially severe complication which may cause keratitis and more fulminating infections. Contact lens invasion can present as acute red eye warranting its replacement to prevent the development of keratitis. Different genera and species of fungi are documented to cause contact lens invasion. We report a rare case of fungal invasion of the contact lens by Aspergillus nidulans.

Keywords

• acute red eye
• contact lens
• fungal invasion