Contact lens wear increases the risk of infection of cornea. This is one of the most common conditions which presents to the BEH Emergency Department. A light sensitive and painful red eye in a contact lens wearer is typically an ulcer (an infection). These do not respond to chloramphenicol and require broader spectrum antibiotics (first-line: levofloxacin). On examination, you may see:
Please see diagnostic photographs
The patient should be reviewed in the BEH Emergency Department, the same day.
If the patient is out of hours, please discuss with the on-call ophthalmologist
Red eye and light sensitivity in a contact lens wearer should prompt suspicion of a corneal infection, this cannot be adequately diagnosed or excluded without a slit-lamp.
Refer to BEH Emergency Department
These guidelines have been written by Rhys Harrison, consultant ophthalmologist at Bristol Eye Hospital, with thanks to the patients who have kindly given consent to use their photos.
For full ophthalmology guidelines see: Primary Care Ophthalmology Guidance Document
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