BCLA discusses side-effects

Consultant ophthalmologist Teifi James and Rory McClenaghan, principal optometrist at Southampton Eye Unit, spoke to around 70 members of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) on February 15.

The Association's evening CET meeting in London heard James discuss the different environmental factors that affect the ocular surface and prohibit contact lens wear. James pointed out that factors such as reflective UVR, humidity, smog and altitude were responsible for snow blindness, evaporative dry eye, photokeratitis and pterygium.

James also highlighted the rising trend in Russia of ingesting vodka through the eyes, known as 'vodka eyeballing', as a means to rapid intoxication. There was no evidence that this practice worked but that hadn't stopped the trend from spreading to the UK, said the speaker.