Contact Lenses and Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

A case report is presented of a 33 year-old short-sighted married woman who had worn corneal contact lenses for 3 years prior to taking the oral contraceptive Oracon (ethinyl estradiol .1 mg daily for 16 days followed by dimethisterone 25 mg plus ethinyl estradiol .1 mg daily for 5 days). After 10 days of therapy the woman noted improvement of acne vulgaris but discontinued the drug because of ankle edema weight gain fullness of face and breasts and increasing prominence of preexistent mild varicose veins. A few days later she began to notice photophobia in direct sunlight. 3 weeks later an opthamologist examined her who detected unilateral corneal edema and superficial corneal opacities staining with fluorescein. She discontinued wearing the contact lenses. The photophobia disappeared within 36 hours and the cornea had completely recovered in 3 weeks. She then resumed wearing the contact lenses without problems. Information is requested on any evidence of oral contraceptive therapy being associated with disturbances of contact lens wearing in other patients.