You only have one pair of eyes

Eyeful of trouble: Unauthorised cosmetic contact lenses are priced around RM15 at night markets. In beauty shops, they cost around RM25.

IT is such a normal part of life that nobody blinks an eye when things do not feel right, until things go horribly wrong.

Since it was first invented in 1888 to correct vision, contact lenses have come such a long way that now even those with perfect vision are using them daily for cosmetic reasons.

The familiarity, however, has made many careless when it comes to safety and hygiene in the use and care for their contact lenses.

Chan: ‘Sure, it is fashion but it is in contact with your cornea, and your cornea is unprotected tissue that can be damaged permanently.’

“There were patients who came in with chipped contact lenses. They said they continued wearing them because they didn’t feel any pain or had any problems with their vision. When we checked, we found that their eyes were already infected,” says the Health Ministry’s Malaysian Optical Council (MOC) secretary Nor Azizah Ismail, adding that many of those who come for treatment for contact lens complications are experienced users.

Combined with the number of young and new users who lack the right information on the dangers and awareness of the “Dos and Don’ts” of contact lens use and care, the risk of devastating eye infection is high in the country.

The most common infection related to contact lens use is keratitis, an infection of the cornea or the clear round part covering the eye’s iris and pupil.

Keratitis is caused by bacteria, fungus and microbes. In severe cases, it can cause corneal scarring that impairs vision, leading to a ­corneal transplant and blindness. But with proper handling, storage and cleaning of lenses, the risk of keratitis infection can be reduced.

Many bad habits, however, are already entrenched in users’ daily regime, laments Nor Azizah.

“Many use their lenses over the prescribed time, sleep with their contact lenses, swim and shower with their lenses on and keep them in the toilet.

“Even if you clean your toilet regularly, there is a lot of bacteria in the toilet,” she says, highlighting that a common bacteria causing infection in the eyes of contact lens users is pseudomonas, which is usually found in toilet dirt.

Another common bad habit, she says, is sharing contact lens.

“Many think it is only a habit among the young who exchange lenses to get a different colour or pattern – but many others are doing it without realising the risks.

“There was a patient who shared his contact lenses with his wife because he only used them when he played futsal and, as he said, they are married.

“Then there are mak andam (wedding make-up artist) who use coloured contact lenses as part of the bride’s make-up, but recycle the same contact lenses for her different clients. These are the risky things people do without realising the risks,” she adds.

To the Association of Malaysian Optometrists (AMO) president Murphy Chan, the problem is that the problem does not show immediately.

“If your eye gets sore immediately, then you might stop but with our cornea, it will take time to show the damage – which is cumulative – but once the cornea’s defence is broken through or weakens, then it quickly goes from bad to worse.

“The cornea does not have the ability to regenerate, so the damage is irreversible. Once your eyesight goes, it’s gone. The process cannot be reversed.”

Chan urges users not to be tempted by low prices when buying contact lenses, especially the cosmetic lenses.

“Sure, it is fashion but it is in contact with your cornea, and your cornea is unprotected tissue that can be damaged permanently.

“Even if it’s a cosmetic item, you need to take the proper precautions as a misstep can lead to a loss of eyesight.

Dr Kenneth Fong, an eye surgeon from the Eye Centre at Sunday Medical Centre, couldn’t agree more.

“If you are paying RM10 to RM15 for your contact lenses, don’t expect them to be of high quality. In fact if you look at one under the microscope, you can see how rough the surface of the material is.”

This is why buying online is not advised, says Dr Michael Law, consultant ophthalmologist and eye surgeon at the International Specialist Eye Centre.

“Infection is often due to poor hygiene and practice. If users get their contact lenses from authorised sources, they can ensure that they are getting genuine products as well as the right advice,” he says.

A big culprit for infection that many are not aware of is not cleaning and regularly replacing their contact lens cases, he points out.

He believes it will be safer if prescription is made mandatory for all contact lens users regardless of whether they come with power.

“When you have a check-up at the optometrists and opticians, they can assess the health of your eyes and ensure that you have the right type of lens for your lifestyle – even if you are buying cosmetic contact lens without power.”

Dr Law advises those who experience any discomfort in their eye, irritation or redness to seek immediate help.

“Early treatment can help. If you have contaminated lens on, for example, you can lose your eyesight in 24 to 48 hours, so you cannot take the risk,” he says.

“We don’t want to send a message that contact lenses are dangerous. Like other things, when you do it responsibly and properly, the risks are low and you’ll be safe.”

When it comes to safety versus beauty and ease, many contact lens users have their blinkers on.

Related stories:
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Bad hygiene habits the cause of eye infection
Optometrists: Youngsters not seeing the dangers of cosmetic lenses