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Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116:810-812.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

We describe 4 patients who developed an acute bilateral microcystic corneal epitheliopathy with a marked reduction in visual acuity after using daily wear soft contact lenses. The cysts cleared over a period of 4 weeks with complete visual recovery, although 1 patient developed central corneal flattening. Examination of an epithelial biopsy specimen from 1 patient was negative for Acanthamoeba . However, apoptosis was demonstrated by staining with TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assay . We believe that this phenomenon is the result of acute corneal hypoxia.

Epithelial microcysts are small (15- to 50-µm) inclusions previously described as a delayed response to extended contact lens wear.¹ They have been noted less frequently after daily wear soft or rigid contact lens wear. Patients using extended wear soft lenses typically develop microcysts after 4 to 8 weeks. The number of cysts that develop is related to the oxygen permeability of the lens and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Corresponding author: Stephen J. Tuft, MD, FRCOphth, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, England (e-mail: stuft@compuserve.com).