National Nonprofit Prevent Blindness Provides Free Resources, Including Fact Sheets, Social Media Graphics, and Webpages, on Ways to Use Contact Lenses Correctly and Safely.
CHICAGO, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- , the nation's leading nonprofit eye health organization, has declared October as Contact Lens Safety Month. The purpose of the awareness initiative is to educate the public on the proper use of contact lenses, both prescription and cosmetic. Prevent Blindness offers fact sheets, shareable social media graphics, and .
Prevent Blindness also offers the "" episode as part of its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series. Prevent Blindness President and CEO, Jeff Todd discusses patient advocacy, and the potential dangers of misusing contact lenses with Dr. Thomas L. Steinemann, professor of ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University.
Approximately 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, according to the . Used correctly, contact lenses can be a safe and effective way to provide clearer vision for users. However, many people may not be aware that contact lenses are classified as prescription medical devices. The FDA states that contact lenses are not over-the-counter devices and that companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating Federal Trade Commission regulations by selling contact lenses without a prescription.
This also applies to "decorative" or "cosmetic" contact lenses. These are particularly popular with costume wearers during the Halloween season. Even though these types of lenses do not provide vision correction, it is .
Prevent Blindness urges those who are interested in using contact lenses to first consult an eye doctor to help keep eyes healthy and avoid painful eye issues, including the risk of permanent vision loss. The states that serious eye infections can occur without proper cleaning, disinfecting and storing of contact lenses. Contact lenses that are old or that do not fit well can scratch the eye (corneal abrasions), cause corneal ulcers, and increase risk of bacterial infections.
Individuals who wear any type of contact lenses are at the highest risk for contracting Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK). A serious eye infection that affects the cornea, AK 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 eye loss. For more information, Prevent Blindness offers the free "Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Contact Lenses" fact sheet and .
Prevent Blindness recommends contact lens wearers immediately contact their eye doctor if they experience any of the following problems:
- Unexplained eye discomfort or pain
- Redness of the eye
- Watering eyes
- Vision change
"For many people, contact lenses can be a great alternative for eyeglasses," said Mr. Todd. "By diligently following the guidance of an eye care professional, contact lens users can maintain healthy eyes and clear vision today and for years to come."
For more information and tips on contact lens safety, please visit Prevent Blindness at or .
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at PreventBlindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.
Media Contact
Sarah Hecker, Prevent Blindness, 312.363.6035, [email protected], PreventBlindness.org
SOURCE Prevent Blindness
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