Fungal growth in hydrophilic contact lenses

Fungal colonization of 330 hydrophilic contact lenses obtained from wearers was investigated. In vitro cultures from lens care solutions and observations by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of lenses were used to study the morphology of the fungal colonies, identify the invading fungi taxonomically, and investigate fungal growth and subsequent biodegradation in the lenses. The fungal invasion occured in 39 lenses (11.82%). Filamentous fungi of different genera were identified as colonizers. Gliomastix, Humicola, and Phoma are new to the literature. The frequency of fungal colonization was significantly higher in lenses with higher water content. Yeasts did not grow in vitro. To avoid possible fungal contamination, it is important that wearers carefully clean and disinfect lenses and storage cases and keep the two lenses in separate cases.