Contact Lens Health Week raises awareness for proper wearing habits
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The CDC’s annual Contact Lens Health Week will work with the American Optometric Association and Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety to raise awareness of healthy lens practices Aug. 17 to 21.
The week will highlight various topics such as the risk associated with improper use, the importance of regular visits to an eye care provider and preventing transmission of COVID-19.
“Although there’s no evidence to date that suggests contact lens wearers are more at risk for contracting COVID-19 than eyeglass wearers, ensuring the safety of our contact lens wearing patients remains a priority for many doctors of optometry,” William T. Reynolds, OD, AOA president, told Primary Care Optometry News. “Now it is more important than ever for patients to be diligent with their contact lens hygiene routines and to follow proper protocols.”
The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety will also emphasize the importance of advocating for patient safety through their leaderboard.
“Our leaderboard is a way for those passionate about patient safety to take simple but impactful actions like emailing your Congressmembers, signing petitions and earning points for those actions,” Deanna S. Alexander, OD, Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety chair, told PCON. “We will create Contact Lens Health Week-related action items for the leaderboard so advocates can learn about and participate in the CDC’s campaign.”
Various other resources will be offered by the CDC, the AOA and the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety to help educate patients and doctors alike.