Korean J Ophthalmol.  2010 Dec;24(6):367-370. 10.3341/kjo.2010.24.6.367.

Pigment Deposition of Cosmetic Contact Lenses on the Cornea after Intense Pulsed-Light Treatment

• Hong S
• Lee JR
• Lim T

• KMID: 1769092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2010.24.6.367

Abstract

We report a case of corneal deposition of pigments from cosmetic contact lenses after intense pulsed-light (IPL) therapy. A 30-year-old female visited our outpatient clinic with ocular pain and epiphora in both eyes; these symptoms developed soon after she had undergone facial IPL treatment. She was wearing cosmetic contact lenses throughout the IPL procedure. At presentation, her uncorrected visual acuity was 2/20 in both eyes, and the slit-lamp examination revealed deposition of the color pigment of the cosmetic contact lens onto the corneal epithelium. We scraped the corneal epithelium along with the deposited pigments using a no. 15 blade; seven days after the procedure, the corneal epithelium had healed without any complications. This case highlights the importance of considering the possibility of ocular complications during IPL treatment, particularly in individuals using contact lenses. To prevent ocular damage, IPL procedures should be performed only after removing the lenses and applying eyeshields.

Keyword

Complication; Corneal imprinting; Cosmetic contact lens; Intense pulsed-light

MeSH Terms

Adult
Coloring Agents/*pharmacokinetics
Contact Lenses/*adverse effects
Cornea/*metabolism/pathology/*radiation effects
Cosmetic Techniques/*adverse effects
Debridement
Epithelium, Corneal/surgery
Female
Humans
Phototherapy/*adverse effects
Postoperative Period
Treatment Outcome
Visual Acuity

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Slit-lamp photographs at the first examination (A,C, right eye; B,D, left eye). (A,B) Conjunctival injection, mild chemosis and deposition of the color pigments of the cosmetic contact lens onto the corneal epithelium were observed. The pattern of the deposition matched the pattern on the contact lenses. (C,D) Fluorescein-dye staining revealed punctate epithelial erosions and corneal epithelial defects in both eyes.

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  Fig. 2 Photographs taken immediately after the excision of the corneal epithelium with the no. 15 blade. The pigments were completely excised. Therapeutic lenses were implanted. (A) Right eye. (B) Left eye.

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  Fig. 3 Slit-lamp photographs taken on the 7th day after treatment (A,C, right eye; B,D, left eye). (A,B) Corneal epithelial defects and erosions were completely healed. The cornea was clear, and the anterior chamber was clear. (C,D) These are the same photographs after fluorescein staining. An intact epithelium was observed.

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