Study probes CL incidents

A review of patient incidents has identified the risk of complications associated with buying contact lenses from unregulated sources of supply.

The study, published in Eye & Contact Lens journal this month, analysed 70 individual case reports – primarily in the past eight years – of which 61 per cent were caused by microbial keratitis.

Over-the-counter supply accounted for 73 per cent of the unregulated cases, with 17 per cent from borrowed or shared lenses and 6 per cent due to lenses bought online.

The paper said: ‘There are various reasons to presume that the unregulated supply of CLs might result in the use of inappropriate lenses, increase the risk of poorer lens hygiene, and militate against the prompt treatment of any consequent complications.’