October is “Contact Lens Safety Awareness Month” and EYEcenter is taking steps to educate our patients in the best ways to care for their eyes through the safe use and care of contact lenses.
With Halloween coming up, colored contact lenses have become a popular new trend to add to one’s costume. But we warn that these kinds of lenses should only be prescribed through your EYEcenter optometrist or other eye care professional.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 45 million contact lens wearers in the United States. “Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA states that contact lenses are not over-the-counter (OTC) devices and companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations by selling contact lenses without having a valid prescription,” states Vision Monday in a recent report.
Always visit EYEcenter or an eye care professional to be fitted for contact lenses before use. We also remind you how important it is to always keep your hands clean before eye contact. Never share or use cracked or old lenses. These can bring bacteria and other threats into your eyes which can have detrimental effects on your health and vision. Hygiene is so important when dealing with your eyes!
“Contact lenses can be a great alternative to eyeglasses for many, but we must do our part to make sure we are using and caring for them safely,” said Jeff Todd, president CEO of Prevent Blindness. “A visit to an eye care professional must always be the first step before using any contact lenses, even for those that are only decorative.”
For more information on contact lens and/or Halloween eye safety, call us to schedule a contact lens consultation with an EYEcenter optometrist. Or click here to schedule an appointment today!
For some helpful tips regarding how to care for your contact lenses, please click here.
