Úlcera de córnea bilateral por Pseudomonas em usuário de lente de contato descartável

• Autor(a) principal: Lipener, César [UNIFESP]
• Data de Publicação: 1999
• Outros Autores: Ribeiro, André Luiz Parolin [UNIFESP]
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UNIFESP
• Texto Completo: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-27491999000600017; http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/868
• topic: Corneal ulcer; Contact lens; disposable, bilateral; Úlcera de córnea; Lente de contato; descartável; bilateral

Introduction: Although the use of contact lenses is appa-rently very simple, it is necessary to obey criteria for their correct use, conservation and disposal. Corneal bacterial ulcers are a much-feared complication for users of contact lenses and can be related to various factors such as hygiene, storage and most of all long-term use. Purpose: To describe a case of bilateral ulcer, caused by Pseudomonas in a patient who was a user of disposable lenses. This study highlights and discusses the importance of prior examination, instruction and adequate supervision. In addition it is emphasized that although the lenses are disposable, they are not free from the possibility of serious complications. Case Study: A seventeen-year-old student who had used contact lenses for six months without prior examination or medical prescription complained of pain in the left eye. When he was examined, we observed a corneal ulcer infiltrated in the median periphery. Samples were collected and a treatment with fortified eye-drops was started. After eight hours the patient returned now complaining of pain in the right eye which we examined and observed diffuse keratitis with a mucopurulent secretion. The treatment was the same. Laboratory tests revealed Pseudomonas in both eyes and the ailment was healed within a week's treatment without leaving sequelae. Discussion: The author discuss the factors involved in the occurrence of infectious keratitis in users of contact lenses illustrating that even though disposable lenses are appa-rently very simple they can cause serious problems. It also demonstrates that the long-term use of contact lenses is considered to be a main risk factor. The description of a case of bilateral keratitis is a warning about the use of this kind of lens without proper orientation and supervision.