Warning on novelty contact lenses
Campaign to highlight the risks ahead of Halloween
As party-goers and trick or treaters prepare costumes this Halloween, we’ve been reminding the public, in our latest campaign, that novelty contact lenses come with an increased risk of scratched corneas, sore eyes and eye infections.
Our recent Voice of Optometry insight panel showed us that one in 10 optometrists see patients with eye problems after wearing novelty lenses.1 We’re highlighting these findings in our press release and offering five top tips on the wear and care of any lenses. We’ve also produced a series of social media images to support the campaign and warn of the dangers.
Optometrist and Clinical and Regulatory Officer at the AOP, Farah Gatrad, said: “Novelty lenses are easily accessible, on the High Street and online, but they come with little to no instructions on safe use. They are not professionally fitted or assessed so can cause serious problems such as serious eye infections or corneal abrasions.”
The campaign underlines our recent joint work with the General Optical Council which aims to help tackle the illegal sale of contact lenses, taking place without the supervision of a registered practitioner.
More information for patients on eye care and advice for contact lens wearers is available in the For patients section.
1. Findings from the AOP Voice of Optometry insight panel, the survey was conducted by independent research company, Alpha Research between March – May 2017.