Contact lens-related deep stromal intracorneal hemorrhage.

Deep corneal neovascularization is a recently described complication of contact lens wear. Visual loss associated with deep corneal neovascularization has been associated with stromal lipid leakage. Deep intracorneal hemorrhage is rare and has been documented infrequently with the use of contact lenses. The authors present five cases of deep stromal hemorrhage associated with contact lens-related deep corneal neovascularization. These patients had no other discernible cause for their vascularization and subsequent hemorrhage. One patient required a penetrating keratoplasty for visual rehabilitation. Contact lenses of all types may cause neovascularization. The deep stromal neovascularization develops insidiously and may progress in the absence of acute symptoms. The presence of deep stromal neovascularization must be watched carefully and managed as a potentially vision-threatening complication of contact lens use.