Two new studies have concluded that the risk of eye disease associated with internet/mail order purchase of contact lenses is nearly five times higher than when lenses were brought from an optometrist.
The two papers on contact lens-related microbial keratitis (MK) published online ahead of the publication in the American Academy of Ophthalmology's journal Ophthalmology have identified the risk factors for the disease for CL wearers and findings have flagged up that those patients who buy their lenses online are at a greater risk of infection.
The first study carried out by Professor Fiona Stapleton and co-workers found that the risk of infection was 4.76 times higher for those consumers who brought their lenses from sources other than their optometrist.
Findings also revealed that these consumers were less likely to comply with good eye care practices.
Risk factors identified by researchers included overnight use and poor storage case hygiene.
The second study undertaken by John Dart and fellow researchers concluded that risk of MK has not been reduced in users of daily disposables (DDs) and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
Report authors also provided an analysis of risks for MK associated with different brands of DD lens.
According to their findings, compared with planned replacement soft lenses, the risk of developing MK was significantly higher with Dailies (CIBA Vision), followed by Soflens One Day (Bausch & Lomb), and a group of other/unidentified brands of daily disposable lenses.
Commenting on the findings, a CIBA Vision spokesperson said: 'While daily disposable lenses in these studies demonstrated a slightly higher risk for microbial keratitis than non-daily disposable daily wear, the infections found with daily disposable lenses were less severe than with other types of lenses.
'One of the most important learnings from these studies is that a significant number of patients are misusing daily disposable contact lenses by sleeping in them, re-using them, and not practicing proper hygiene when inserting, wearing, or removing their lenses. In fact, nearly half of the reported infection cases with daily disposable lenses involved some form of non-compliance or misuse.'
The spokesperson added: 'These studies reinforce the need for ongoing patient education and awareness of the importance of proper wear and care of all contact lens types - including daily disposable lenses.'
A spokesperson for Bausch & Lomb said: 'The contact lens experience is always the best and safest when wearers follow their eye care practitioners' directions especially as it relates to the wearing schedule and care of their lenses.'
The publication of the two studies has prompted the GOC and the BCLA to urge consumers to follow advice on buying contact lenses.
Both bodies are taking action to raise consumer awareness following reports of cases of contact lens wearers experiencing eye health problems after buying lenses without getting proper eye care and advice.