Fungal contamination of soft contact lens with Bipolaris spicifera

Abstract

Bipolaris spicifera, a member of the dematiacious group of fungi, was isolated from a therapeutic soft contact lens fitted on a patient suffering from Mooren's ulcer. Dense fungal growth was observed on the lens and was associated with conjunctival injection. There was no corneal involvement. Recently, there have been several reports in the literature documenting the contamination of hydrogel contact lenses with fungus. Although the incidence of fungal keratitis is surprisingly rare, the potential for ocular complications and the severe ocular morbidity associated with fungal infections underscores the need to highlight lens contamination with fungus.