Microbial keratitis patient 'told to re-use daily disposable lens'

The case prompted the dispensing optician involved to write to optician accusing the multiples of exchanging market share for patient eye care. The patient claims she was told by a contact lens fitter within a multiple that it was all right to re-use the lenses for five days. For the past 12 months the female patient had been using 1 Day Acuvue lenses soaked overnight in a multi-purpose solution. She had been using each pair for five days at a time. Dennis Cotler of the Cotler Practice, Doncaster, explained in a letter to optician that the regimen was 'sold' to her by the multiple. 'She presented to me as a new patient and had a red sore eye. It was serious and there were signs of corneal erosion,' said Mr Cotler. 'I referred her straight on.' Mr Cotler explained that the young woman had been told by a contact lens fitter within a multiple that it was all right to re-use the lenses for four or five days. She had been suffering from symptoms for about a week before visiting the Cotler Practice. 'It was horrifying to me that this was being advocated by someone in practice. I asked are you sure you are right about this?' She maintained that she had been told it was all right. The patient did not want to be identified and the matter has not been taken further with the multiple in question. - See Comment, page 12.