The General Optical Council (GOC) has joined forces with the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) to urge Britain’s contact lens wearers not to endanger their eye health during the recession through ‘risky’ attitudes. The warning comes after a specially commissioned YouGov poll revealed that almost a quarter of Britain’s 3.5 million contact lens wearers would consider switching their contact lens brand to save money, and more than one-in-ten of them would consider having less frequent check-ups. The poll also found one-in-five would consider wearing the lenses for longer than recommended, such as using monthly lenses for more than one month, to cut costs. Latest reports, state the two groups, suggest that some contact lens wearers are switching to cheaper lenses without having the new lenses fitted. When lenses are not properly fitted wearers may experience a range of side-effects, from minor discomfort and blurred vision to more serious adverse reactions such as red, inflamed eyes. Professor Roger Buckley, clinical advisor to the GOC, said “In the current economic climate, it’s understandable that contact lens wearers are looking to save money. But without a proper fitting, patients could be putting their eye health and comfort at risk. It’s essential that patients follow the advice of their eye care practitioner when it comes to contact lens care.”

In their release to consumer magazines, the GOC and BCLA advise that: ‘A contact lens fitting should include an eye examination to make sure your eyes are healthy, and measurements of your eyes to ensure the best lens type, fit and vision. Your practitioner should also advise you when you should wear the lenses, how to look after them and how often they should be replaced. Contact lens wearers should not change their prescribed lens type, wearing schedule, replacement frequency, solutions or care procedures without the recommendation of their eye care practitioner.’ Other examples of high risk contact lens practices they state include: Wearing a damaged or torn lens instead of replacing it; cutting down on lens cleaning to save on solution costs; switching to solutions that may not be compatible with the eye or lens; and sleeping in lenses not suitable for overnight wear to avoid buying solutions. The BCLA and the GOC commissioned the poll with a total sample size of 2,131 adults, of whom 240 were contact lens wearers. Fieldwork was undertaken from May 13-15 2009. The survey was carried out online, and the figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). Source Optometry Today