Cosmetic Contact Lens-Related Corneal infections in Asia.

Abstract Purpose : To explore demographics, disease characteristics and wear habits in cosmetic contact lens (CL)-related corneal infections in Asia. Design : Prospective multicentre cross-sectional study. Methods : Cases of CL-related corneal infection presenting over a 12-month period were prospectively identified from 11 centers in 8 countries in Asia. Case demographics, clinical features, microbiology and compliance characteristics were compared between wearers using CLs for cosmetic purposes and those using CLs for the correction of refractive errors. Results : Six hundred and ninety-four CL wearers with corneal infection presented; 204 cosmetic CL (29.4%) and 490 (70.6%) refractive CL wearers. Cosmetic CL infections comprised 7-54% of cases across the region. Compared with non-cosmetic CL wearers, cosmetic CLs wearers were significantly more likely to be female (90% vs 59%), young (aged Conclusions : Cosmetic CL infections represent a significant proportion of CL-related infections in Asia. Cosmetic CL users with corneal infections are generally young, female and wearing hydrogel contact lenses. Internet supply, quality control and regulation of the sale of these products provide significant challenges in managing this population of vulnerable wearers.