This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Prevent Blindness recognizes contact lens safety in October
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Prevent Blindness, as it designates October as Contact lens Safety Awareness Month, reminds consumers that the FDA regulates contact lenses as medical devices, and that prescriptions are always required for purchase.
The group also provides tips on how to care for eyes and lenses, such as always visiting an eye doctor for contact lenses, always washing hands with soap and water before handling lenses, removing lenses before swimming or bathing, never sleeping in contact lenses, never storing contacts in water, keeping the lens case clean, never using damaged lens cases, never trading or sharing contacts and removing them if the eyes become irritated.
These tips are especially relevant in October, when many people use contact lenses as a part of their Halloween costumes, according to a Prevent Blindness press release.
“Contact lenses can be a great alternative to eyeglasses for many, but we must do our part to make sure we are using and caring for them safely,” Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, said in the release. “A visit to an eye care professional must always be the first step before using any contact lenses, even for those that are only decorative.”