Technical Report: Guidelines for Handling of Multipatient Contact Lenses in the Clinical Setting

Optom Vis Sci. 2020 Aug;97(8):544-548. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001547.

Abstract

Standardized guidelines that are clinically practical are needed to assist the prescriber in minimizing the risk of conveying infection through multiuse diagnostic contact lens use and reuse.Contact lens prescribers face the specter of transferring potential pathogens from one patient to another when reusing diagnostic (trial) contact lenses on multiple patients because infectious organisms have been recovered from worn contact lenses, although there is no evidence of transmission through this mechanism. These pathogens can be introduced into the system from one patient to another, or they may be introduced by clinician lens handling, storage, or both. These pathogens can cause acute or chronic systemic or ocular infection that can lead to significant morbidity (temporary or permanent) that includes vision loss.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Contact Lens Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / microbiology
  • Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / standards*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control*
  • Eye Infections / prevention & control
  • Hand Disinfection
  • Humans
  • Hygiene / standards*
  • Orthokeratologic Procedures
  • Prescriptions / standards*
  • Specimen Handling / methods*

Substances

  • Contact Lens Solutions