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Prevent Blindness Declares October as Contact Lens Safety Month

(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO, IL — Contact lenses can be safe and effective in helping people see more clearly. However, when used improperly, they can cause serious eye and vision problems, including corneal ulcers and potentially blinding infections. Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer non-profit eye health organization, has declared October as Contact Lens Safety Month to help educate the public on the best ways to protect their eyes through proper care.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all contact lenses as prescription medical devices. It is illegal for anyone to sell contact lenses without a prescription from an eyecare professional.


With Halloween quickly approaching and consumers possibly looking to enhance their costumes with contact lenses, the FDA reminds the public that consumers need a prescription for all contact lenses, including “decorative” or “cosmetic contacts,” even if the user has perfect vision.

Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The single best way to avoid eye infections is to follow proper lens care guidelines as prescribed by your eye care professional. Prevent Blindness recommends the following for safe contact lens care:

“Contact lenses can be a great alternative to eyeglasses, as long as they are used under the direction of a licensed eyecare professional,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “It is important to practice healthy contact lens habits every day to protect eyes from serious, painful vision issues.”

For more information on contact lens safety, visit preventblindness.org.

Author
David Greening David Greening, ABOC, BS(HONS) Ophth. Dispensing David is a licensed optician, and has been in optics since 2002. He attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing in Kent, England (2014). He has extensive experience, having managed his own practice for many years prior to arriving at Astorino & Associates Eye Center. He is a licensed American optician (ABOC) and is well-recognized for his quality of service, attention to detail, and patient care. He left our practice January 2024.

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