Prevent Blindness Ohio declares October a Contact Lens Safety Month

Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) has once again declared October as Contact Lens Safety Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 45 million people in the United States wear contact lenses. Contacts can improve vision for people with refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (distorted vision) and presbyopia (changes to near vision that normally happen with age).

All contact lenses are regulated medical devices that require a prescription and proper fitting by a doctor. This is true even for lenses classified as “decorative,” “costume,” or “cosmetic” contacts that do not have vision correction. The Federal Trade Commission states that it is illegal to sell cosmetic lenses without getting or verifying the prescription. Sellers must ask for a copy of the prescription or verify the prescription information with the prescriber.

Contact lenses that are old or that do not fit well can scratch the eye (corneal abrasions) and may cause corneal ulcers. Contact lens users are at an increased risk for eye infections if the lenses are not cared for properly. Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) is a serious eye infection that affects the cornea and is caused by exposure of the eye to water in pools, lakes, oceans, and even tap water, that contains the Acanthamoeba organism. If left untreated, AK can lead to severe vision loss, and in many cases blindness or loss of an eye.

The best ways to avoid eye infections, including AK, when using contact lenses are to:

• Wash hands: Before handling contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and water, then rinse and dry them completely with a lint-free cloth
• Remove contact lenses: Remove contact lenses before any activities with water, such as showering, bathing, swimming, or hot tub use.
• Do not use water: Contact lenses should never be rinsed with or stored in water (both tap or sterile water). • Follow use and care instructions: Wear and replace contact lenses as directed by your eye doctor. Never wear someone else’s lenses.
• New solution: Use fresh disinfecting solution to clean, rub, and rinse your contact lenses each time you remove them – even if the solution you are using is a “no-rub.” Do not re-use the old solution or “top off” the solution in your lens case.
• Clean contact lens case: Contact lens cases should always be cleaned with fresh solution – not water. Then leave the empty case open to dry. Replace lens cases regularly- at least every three months.
• Location: Consider keeping your contact lenses outside the bathroom to reduce the risk of water contamination.

PBO urges contact lens wearers to contact their eye doctor immediately if they experience unexplained eye discomfort or pain, redness of the eye, watering eyes, and vision changes.

“Under the guidance of an eye care professional, contact lenses can be a safe and effective way to improve vision,” said Amy Pulles, President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Ohio. “To help keep eyes healthy, practice good lens care and hygiene every day. By doing so, you’ll reduce your risk of infection and enjoy clear vision with confidence.”

For more information on contact lens safety, visit https://preventblindness.org/wearing-contact-lenses/ or https://preventblindness.org/acanthamoeba-keratitis-contact-lenses/, or contact Prevent Blindness Ohio at 800-301-2020 or  https://ohio.preventblindness.org/