Health authorities call attention to color contact lenses used during cosplay


by

Salvador Altamirano

Every October 31st is “Halloween”, and there are people who enjoy various costumes. At that time, there are some people who use color contact lenses (color lenses) because they can easily change the visual impression, but originally color contact lenses are medical devices, and if you use something like a toy, it is the worst of blindness The US Food and Drug Administration has warned that there is even fear.

Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More | FDA
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/decorative-contact-lenses-halloween-and-more



Here's why you should never use decorative contact lenses—in graphic pictures | Ars Technica

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/10/heres-why-you-should-never-use-decorative-contact-lenses-in-graphic-pictures/

Color contact lenses are decorative contact lenses that can turn brown eyes into blue eyes or be shaped like cat eyes, and do not have the ability to correct vision. However, in the United States, it is a “medical device” that is handled by the US Food and Drug Administration in the same way as contact lenses for vision correction. In Japan, approval from the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare is required for manufacturing and importing from November 4, 2009, and sales are subject to regulation under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, which requires the prefectural governor to obtain a sales license and establish a sales manager. 'Highly managed medical equipment'.

There is no problem with contact lenses purchased based on prescriptions, but the problem is when they are obtained without the proper route. Inappropriate use of contact lenses can cause infection, sore eyes, scratches, visual impairment, and even blindness. Every year, there are people who are urgently transported by using color contact lenses before and after Halloween, and in 2019 there are reports that color contact lenses can no longer be removed from the eyes and undergo removal surgery in the emergency room It has been.

Woman goes to ER to remove contact lenses stuck to eyes
https://www.today.com/health/woman-goes-er-remove-contact-lenses-stuck-eye-t165627



First of all, when using contact lenses, you need to take good care of them. According to a survey conducted by ophthalmologists in 2005, 12 patients visited the hospital because of 'serious eye disease' caused by contact lenses.

In the case of a 16-year-old woman who developed pain and redness after using color contact lenses, she shared contact lenses with her brother and sometimes did not remove it when sleeping. The woman's symptoms improved with treatment with artificial tears and antibiotics.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man who purchased a “cat-eye” lens at a flea market developed Acanthamoeba keratitis . Eventually, corneal transplantation was necessary, and even after 3 months, visual acuity did not recover from 0.1.

Similarly, a 39-year-old woman who bought a color contact lens at a beauty salon visited an ophthalmologist with pain, hyperemia, and haze in her left eye. As a result, an ulcer occurred in the central part of the cornea due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and he was hospitalized for antibiotic therapy. My visual acuity has dropped to 0.4.

The US Food and Drug Administration lists what should be done and what should not be done when using contact lenses in order not to increase the number of victims.

・ 1: Take a vision test
It is very important that the contact lens is worn correctly, and if it doesn't fit, it can hurt your eyes and should be examined by a qualified ophthalmologist.

・ 2: Get a prescription
When making contact lenses, an ophthalmologist writes a contact lens prescription. Wearing contact lenses obtained without a prescription may damage the cornea, the outermost layer of the eyeball. Even if there is no problem immediately, the damage accumulates.

・ 3: Follow contact lens care
Follow the instructions for use / cleaning / disinfection attached to the contact lens. If not, consult an ophthalmologist.

・ 4: Remove the lens and go to a medical institution when abnormal
If you have any abnormalities such as “red eyes”, “pain persists”, or “an eye irritation”, contact a medical institution immediately. Redness, pain, and secretions from the eyes are signs of infection.

・ 5: Do not share contact lenses with others
Do not share your contact lenses with others in red, as the shape and size of your eyes varies from person to person.

In the United States, the color contact market is worth $ 300 million (30 billion yen), accounting for 15% of the total contact market. It seems that problems such as blindness have occurred. The handling is similar in Japan, so please be careful when using color contact lenses.

in Note, Posted by logc_nt