• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the actual condition of caring soft contact lens cases and the change in contamination level of lens cases by wearing and storage period of soft contact lens. Methods: The actual condition of caring soft lens cases was surveyed with sixty-three of contact lens wearers. Soft contact lenses were worn for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days, and the lenses were separately stored in 12 lens cases for 1, 3 and 7 days. The contamination level of lens cases was determined by counting the numbers of microorganisms, gram negative bacteria and fungi. Results: Only 14% of survey answerers cleaned their lens cases with a brush, rinsed and dried them upside down before next usage of lens case when those lenses were kept for a long time. Furthermore, 54% of total answerers just kept soft contact lens in the case without changing the multipurpose solution. Microorganisms, gram negative bacteria and fungi were detected in lens cases even when soft contact lens were kept for 1 day in the lens case after wearing for 1 day and cleaning it with multipurpose solution. The numbers of microorganisms, gram negative bacteria and fungi in lens cases increased with storage periods of soft contact lens, and also contamination level of lens cases was increased in accordance with wearing period of lens. In the lens cases without changing multipurpose solution, the numbers of microorganisms, gram negative bacteria and fungi increased with storage period of lens with statistical significance. Conclusions: This study showed that lens wearers' concerns on caring contact lens case were not satisfactory. As the result, the contamination of lens cases was related to increase of lens wearing and storage periods suggesting that the proper instruction and education for lens wearers are required.