❤👀❤️️Im sure many of you have read the article Colored, corrective contact lenses a concern in the Sunday Times on the 4th of January 2015.❤️👀❤️ ❤️I am not here to dispute the number of contact lens related infections, although, in my opinion, it is low, especially since there are contact lens patients who do not comply with instructions for safe contact lens wear. Do not tempt your luck, by not complying with instructions, as it is an infection waiting to happen. I am here to tell you what I found missing from this article. This missing information is critical and will go a long way to reduce infection rates by reinforcing the dangers of non-compliance. ❤️ ❤️What is acanthamoeba? This is an organism that lives in water, is found in soil, even in spring water. You cannot be infected with this organism unless you transfer it to your eyes or contact lenses. Yes, I said contact lenses, all types of contact lenses, not just orthokeratology lenses.❤️ ❤️Why are contact lens wearers more susceptible to infections? Well one of the major reasons is because you are touching your eyes and are therefore more likely to transfer organisms to your eyes. Eye infections were around long before contact lenses were invented. What was sorely missing from this article and extremely important for the reading public to understand is how to protect the contact lens wearer from contact lens related eye infections.❤️ So here I go: • Wash hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses. • Once washed, do not touch your nose, hair etc. • Always clean and disinfect your lenses according to instructions given by your optometrist. Always rub your lenses with the recommended solution even if the bottle says No Rub • Dirty contact lens cases forms a good base for organisms to grow. Change cases regularly. • No, saline solution is not a disinfectant. • After care visits are important, do not skip. This is the opportunity to ensure you continue to wear your contact lenses safely. • See your optometrist immediately if your eyes do not feel as they normally do or your vision worsens. • Do not buy lenses over the counter. • Do not buy contact lenses online. ❤️A word about online purchase of contact lenses. (Ok, more then just a word.) Contact Lenses (including coloured lenses) are listed by HSA as medical devices. This means it is only available with a prescription signed by a registered contact lens practitioner or eye doctor. This of course is to protect you from yourselves. Fakes do exist, some have been known to contain bacteria which can cause serious infections. Practitioners usually include the fees of after care visits in the price of the lenses. You wont be saving if you have to pay for this service each time. Enough said. Now let me talk about orthokeratology. What is it? It is a procedure where a speciality designed lens is worn at night during sleep and is used to gently mould the cornea into a specific shape with the intention to reduce myopia temporarily. A very high percentage will have clear vision right through the day after a nights wear. Large scale randomised controlled clinical studies have shown that this procedure is effective in controlling myopia progression.❤️ Why do we need to control myopia especially in children? High myopia is a potentially blinding eye condition. Therefore there is a very real concern especially if myopia progresses rapidly. ❤️Ok, so we now understand the benefits, but are there risks? Yes, all contact lens users are exposed to some risks, but as parents we must consider if the benefits outweigh the risk. Your practitioner is obligated to explain the risk and benefits, you should satisfy yourself that this is the best way to protect your children from the effects of high myopia and understand the risks before you commit yourself. And oh yes, be committed to practising safe contact lens wear.❤️ If you are on orthokeratology, you can breath easier as the Federal Food and Drug Administration has passed these lenses and the extremely high oxygen transmission material its made of, for overnight wear. ❤️A 2013 study published by the American Journal of Optometry has shown that the risk of infection for orthokeratology lenses is 0.077%. That is all infections, most of which can be easily treated without affecting vision.❤️ Oh, lest I forget, an article such as this should have included an interview with an orthokeratology practitioner. We need a balanced view. ❤️👀❤️In conclusion, contact lenses are a safe way to correct vision provided you follow all instructions to the letter.❤️👀❤️
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:44:02 +0000
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