Candida Colonization on the Surface of Contact Lenses in Long-Term Wearers and Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis Patients Presenting as White Mulberry-Shaped Deposits.

Abstract

To report Candida colonies on the surface of the contact lens in long-term contact lens wearers and patients with Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro I). A retrospective study was performed based on analyzing cultures from bandage contact lenses with small whitish mulberry-shaped deposits on their surface. Eight samples (from seven patients) were positive for Candida. Seven of the eight were positive for Candida parapsilosis. The whitish deposits on contact lenses are often Candida colonies that colonize the surface but do not cause an active infection in the eye. C. parapsilosis is well-known for colonizing prosthetic devices. We underline the importance of including Candida species in the differential diagnosis of lens deposits, especially in susceptible patients such as keratoprosthesis carriers.