Decorative Contact Lenses Test Positive for Chlorine and Other Chemicals

A recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) shows that several varities of costume contact lenses tested positive for chlorine and other harmful chemicals. 

The research found chlorine in three types of non-prescription costume contact lenses. Iron was found on four pairs of lenses. The chemicals may come from colorants used to tint and create playful patterns on the lenses. One pair seeped chlorine after a routine rinse, prompting concern from researchers about toxicity to the eye. The study also noted that colorants printed or pressed onto some decorative lenses create an uneven texture. Those rough surfaces could scratch the eyes, potentially allowing in bacteria that can cause infection and even blindness. 

Four of the five lenses in the study are not available legally in the United States the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has not approved them. Contact lenses not approved by the FDA may be made with materials that can harm the eyes, causing corneal ulcers or keratitis. Both of these conditions can result in scarring that impairs vision or causes blindness. For this reason, the Academy advises against wearing decorative lenses without a prescription. Even so, consumers can buy these and many other decorative potentially dangerous lenses online. Around Halloween, they often crop up for sale at beauty parlors or even gas stations.  

Guidelines to Pass Onto Your Patients

To safely wear decorative contact lenses this Halloween or any time of year, the AAO recommends following these guidelines:

• Only buy decorative contact lenses from retailers who require a prescription and sell FDA-approved products.
• Obtain a valid prescription and eye exam from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• Even those with good vision need an examine so the lenses fit properly. Ill-fitting lenses can scratch the surface of the eye, creating an opening for infection.
• Redness, swelling, excessive discharge, pain or discomfort can signal eye infection. If you have these symptoms, immediately see an ophthalmologist. Eye infections can cause blindness if left untreated.
• For more information on costume contact lenses, visit the Academy's public information website, www.geteyesmart.org.

Elton John Will Narrate 'Sight: The Story of Vision'

"In 2009, Anita Ingrao, conceived of the idea to do a film on the history of spectacles. In 2013, we started producing SIGHT at a launch meeting with our board of advisors at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Those that attended that meeting will tell you Anita had only one person in mind to read as narrator - Sir Elton John." That's the start of the Facebook post on Sight: The Story of Vision's page. " I'm pleased to announce that Sir Elton John has agreed to be our narrator and read for us last Wednesday - fulfilling Anita's dream and last wish." PBS will air the documentary. Read more.

Here's another post from the documentary's Facebook page: "Although we wrapped up field production at the end of July, we sent Nils to San Diego to get some some pick up shots of former US Marine Eddie Silva, who was blinded by an IED outside of Fallujah.Eddie is a patient of the VA Western Blind Rehabilitation Center and is working hard everyday to overcome his blindness. He allowed us to film him at his dojo where he trains in the marshal art of Jiu Jitsu.Eddie's story with be part of Sight: The Story of Vision."

 See the trailer for the documentary.

Patient Suffers Corneal Infection Sleeping in Extended Wear Contact Lenses, Reports CNN

"Chad Groeschen was working on an outdoor deck for a client a few weeks ago when his left eye started itching. He chalked it up to allergies at first, and then to a sinus infection after his eye got goopy and he could not see out of it. He had no idea his contact lenses were the problem," reports CNN. "Doctors at Cincinnati Eye Institute diagnosed Groeschen with a bacterial infection that was quickly destroying his cornea, the eye's protective outer layer. "It was basically that if I hadn't had contacts [the bacteria] might not have incubated," said Groeschen, a 39-year-old builder and sculptor in Cincinnati. Groeschen had been using extended wear contact lenses, and only taking them out every week to clean. Even though these lenses are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for overnight wear, the American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that this type of use increases the risk of infection." Read more.

Children from Lower-Class Families in China Have Less Myopia

In one of the largest population-based studies ever conducted on nearsightedness in children, researchers have discovered that lower-income students in China have better vision than their middle-class counterparts. Data show that nearsightedness, also called myopia, is twice as prevalent in the middle-income province of Shaanxi compared to the poorer neighboring province of Gansu. The study was published online today in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

To read the study, click here: www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(14)01196-8/abstract.Read more.

AAO Workshop Hopes to Prevent Acanthamoeba Keratitis

“The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced a contact lens microbiology workshop on Sept. 12 aimed at preventing Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare infection among contact lens wearers that causes severe eye pain, redness, light sensitivity and potential vision loss,” writes News-Medical. “The event is jointly sponsored by the Academy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association.” Read more.

Light-Colored Eyes and Meds Increase Dangers of UV Light

Individuals with light-colored eyes or taking common OTC medications are at higher risk for UV damage, according to a recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The study, which involved more than 2,000 adults, found that the combination of light eyes and sun exposure can increase the risk of developing rare eye cancers. The study also found that approximately one-third of American adults take medications that can increase their susceptibility to damage from the sun's UV rays. Of this number, only about half of these adults were aware that medications such as antibiotics with tetracycline, birth control pills, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can cause photosensitivity. Read more.

Americans Unware of Medication Effects on Eye Health

“The American Academy of Ophthalmology has released results of a Harris Poll that shows that a majority of Americans are unaware that taking common drugs and having light-colored eyes can make people more vulnerable to UV exposure, a contributing factor to certain eye diseases and conditions,” reports Medical News Today.

The academy “commissioned a national Harris Poll of more than 2,000 adults. The results revealed two major gaps in UV safety knowledge:

• “One-third of adults use medications that may increase photosensitivity, or increased susceptibility to damage from UV rays. However, 49 percent are unaware or do not believe those medications can cause photosentisity. These photosenitizing drugs include antibiotics containing tetracycline or floroquinolones (like Cipro), some birth controla nd estrogen pills, and certain anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and noproxen sodium (Aleve).
• “More than half (54 percent) of Americans have light-colored eyes (blue, green or hazel). Yet, only 1 in 3 (32 percent) of those with light eyes and 29 percent of all polled know light eyes are more susceptible to UV damage. While people with eyes of any color can develop UV-related eye diseases, light eyes and sun exposure are associated with an increased risk of rare eye cancers, such as iris and uveal melanomas.” Read more.

April Is Sports Eye Safety Month

"As millions take to the playing field this spring, the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons warns the public that thousands of people are blinded by sports-related eye injuries," reports Medical News Today. "In support of Sports Eye Safety Month this April, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds coaches, parents and athletes of the importance of wearing eye protection - whether for Little League or the Majors. Of the 100,000 eye injuries resulting from sports each year, an estimated 42,000 people are treated in the emergency room, and 13,500 end up legally blind. In fact, according to a January 2014 study of consumer product related injuries requiring emergency room treatment, sports equipment - including balls, bats, and rackets - was responsible for the following:

• "41 percent of emergency room visits for children age 10 to 14.
• 25 percent of emergency room visits for people age 15 to 24.
• 20 percent of emergency room visits for children age 5 to 9.

"In addition to injuries from sports equipment, many also suffer eye injuries caused by another player's errant finger or elbow to the eye."Read more.

ABO/NCLE certified speaker Linda Conlin will present on this topic this Sunday at OpticalCEUs Annual Spring Continuing Education Seminar for Opticians at  Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Linda breaks down the benefits of contact lenses over spectacles for the casual and serious athlete, fitting considerations based on various types of sports, safety in the work place, and patient management for athletes. The seminar features five other courses giving opticians the opportunity to earn three ABO and four NCLE continuing education credits.

AAO Creates Repository of Disease Info on National Database

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has launched the IRIS Registry, or Intelligent Research in Sight, a repository that aggregates patient data from electronic health records (EHRs) and statistically analyzes the data, according to Medical News Today. “Already, 2,300 physicians in 47 states nationwide are participating in the IRIS Registry, having signed up during a limited rollout, which began in 2013. The ophthalmology registry currently holds more than 5 million patient records and is expected to ultimately house more than 20 million in two years.” Read more.

AAO Creates Eye Care Data Base

"The American Academy of Ophthalmology on Monday announced plans for an EHR-linked eye disease database that will enable ophthalmologists nationwide to statistically analyze and benchmark their own care," reports Health Care IT News. "Billed as the first such centralized repository in the nation, the Intelligent Research in Sight Registry and reporting tool gathers data from electronic health records and performs statistical analysis of aggregated, de-identified patient data to produce national and practice-level benchmark reports, say AAO officials. These reports can validate the quality of care ophthalmologists provide and pinpoint opportunities for improvement, officials say. By assessing their quality of care rates and studying best practices, ophthalmologists can develop a strategic plan for improving patient outcomes." Read more.

AAO Launches New PSA Campaign about Decorative CLs

As the use of dangerous, non-prescription decorative contact lenses continues to increase in popularity, the American Academy of Ophthalmology's campaign to caution consumers of the health risks associated with these illegal devices has been recognized by leading media relations trade publication Bulldog Reporter with the Gold-Level Bulldog Award for the Best Not-for-Profit/Association/Government Campaign. The Bulldog Awards honor the best media relations campaigns in the industry as judged by journalists, bloggers and public relations critics.

Despite a 2005 federal law that classifies all contact lenses as medical devices and restricts their distribution to licensed eye care professionals, decorative contacts remain widely available on the Internet and in stores. As a result, consumers – particularly teens and young adults – continue to sustain serious, sight-stealing eye injuries and infections due to improper fit and care of these illicit products. To raise awareness of these risks, the Academy's public relations team developed and executed a Halloween-themed campaign called, "Want Scary Eyes? The Dangers of Decorative Contact Lenses."  You can access the video at this link.

Here’s the scary thing. The AAO’s informative video is competing with public relations efforts by manufacturers of decorative contact lenses. For example, on the YouTube page where the AAO’s video appears, there is a column of videos about contacts on the right side. Guess what we found. A how-to video. The producer calls it “How to: Put [sic] in Colored Contacts.” It could have been subtitled “How to Injure Your Eyes.” What is more enticing to a teenager?

MDs Say Medicare Cuts Will Hurt Individuals Needing Eye Care

As the federal government assesses an $85 billion reduction in its 2013 budget, an included 2 percent Medicare cut will hurt beneficiaries who need medical eye care, according to ophthalmologists – medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of eye disease. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 72 percent of responding member physicians predicted they would be forced to make decisions that will negatively affect the ability of their Medicare patients to receive the highest quality of medical care.
Specifically, 43 percent of ophthalmologists said they would be forced to close their practice to new Medicare beneficiaries or restrict the number of new program participants they see, while 28 percent predicted they would have to limit access of their current Medicare patients to urgent-care treatment only.  In addition, nearly 11 percent of respondents said they would be forced to consider changing or ending their participation status in the Medicare program. Read more.

Time to Warn Patients about Eye Injuries from Toys

"With the holiday season upon us, children are busy making their wish lists and checking them twice. But, parents may need to check them yet again to ensure toy safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 250,000 toy-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. Most of these injuries affect children under age 15, and almost half affect the head or face. In light of these dangers, the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages parents to be EyeSmart about toys this holiday season," notes a Science Daily post.

"Some toys, like airsoft guns, BB guns and paintball guns can be particularly hazardous, with the potential to propel foreign objects into the sensitive tissues of the eye. Common eye injuries from these toys include corneal abrasion, ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract, and increased intraocular pressure. These and other injuries sometimes require children to undergo eye surgery. In most cases, the victims of these toy-related injuries were not wearing protective eyewear." Read more.

EyeSmart has come up with five tips for selecting eye-safe toys. You can copy it from this EyeSmart webpage: www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/eye-health-news/buying-safe-toys.cfm 

Prevent Blindness America suggests:

• Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.  Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.

• Inspect all toys before purchasing.  Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.

• For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy. If magnets or batteries are ingested, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles or a face guard with a new batting helmet for baseball or softball). 

• Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult.  Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
   
• Always save the warranties and directions for every toy.  If possible, include a gift receipt.  Repair or throw away damaged toys. 

• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.

• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.

• Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.  If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.

• Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children as this can become wrapped around a child’s neck.

• Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the CPSC, more children have suffocated from them than any other type of toy. 

Read more.

More Warnings about Decorative CLs

As kids across the country shop for their Halloween costumes, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning parents and teens about the dangers of non-prescription decorative contact lenses. Decorative contact lenses are increasingly popular to create elaborate costumes, offering blood drenched vampire eyes, glow-in-the-dark lizard eyes and more. Unfortunately, decorative contact lenses can also lead to real-life nightmares, including permanent eye damage and vision loss. One study found that wearing decorative contact lenses increased the risk for developing keratitis -- a potentially blinding infection that causes an ulcer on the eye -- by more than 16 times.These patients were most often teenagers or young adults. Read more. Why not post a warning in your shops?

Sound and Fury: Leaders in Eye Health Field Come Out and Say Nothing about the Supreme Court Health Care Reform Ruling

David Parke II, M.D. and ceo of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, issued this statement  for the AAO in response to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is committed to working with Congress on solutions to expand coverage for the more than 40 million uninsured individuals in the United States, and simultaneously push for key changes in the health care law that protect patients' access to quality vision care. The Supreme Court's ruling that the health care law is constitutional is just one chapter in a book that is still being authored. The outcome of the November elections will be another important chapter. Ophthalmology and the medical community look forward to continuing to play a key role in ensuring the highest quality of care for all Americans.

Said Dori Carlson, OD and president of the American Optometric Association; and Ronald L. Hopping, OD and president-elect of the American Optometric Association:

 Battling organized medicine, insurers, and others with an anti-optometry agenda, AOA fought for and won a valued seat at the Washington, D.C. table as the debate over health reform intensified. And, as key health reform decisions are made in the nation’s capital and in statehouses across the country in the coming weeks and months, AOA will continue working to advance pro-access, pro-patient solutions aimed at ensuring that doctors of optometry and their patients are treated fairly under health reform and that policymakers and others fully understand the central role that optometrists play in enhanced care delivery and improved health outcomes.

Said Staurat Thomas, OD, chairman of the board of VSP:

We remain steadfast in our belief that stand-alone vision plans – which cover over 100 million Americans – should have the opportunity to participate directly in the Exchanges, and we will continue to advocate strongly for independent doctors and their patients towards this goal. 

Least you forgot your Shakespearean studies: To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, / To the last syllable of recorded time; / And all our yesterdays have lighted fools / The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! / Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, / And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.--Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28.

MDs and ODs Preventing Strokes--Maybe Someday

"A simple eye test may someday offer an effective way to identify patients who are at high risk for stroke, say researchers at the University of Zurich," reports Medical News Today. "They showed that a test called ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) can reliably detect carotid artery stenosis (CAS), a condition that clogs or blocks the arteries that feed the front part of the brain. It's a known risk factor for stroke. The OPA test could be performed by ophthalmologists - physicians who treat eye diseases - during routine exams. The study, ...published in the June issue of Ophthalmology, ...confirmed that patients who had the lowest OPA scores also had the most seriously blocked arteries." Read more.

The Swiss research team used a device called the dynamic contour tonometer to check the OPA of 67 patients who were assumed to have CAS. The OPA score is calculated by finding the difference between the two pressure levels that occur inside the eye during the two phases of the heartbeat -- the systolic and diastolic. The tonometer measures the two pressure levels, then instantly computes the patient's OPA score. When blood flow to the eye is blocked by CAS, there is not much difference between the two pressure levels, so the OPA score is low. The study confirmed that patients with the lowest OPA scores also had the most seriously blocked arteries. The researchers used ultrasound exams to corroborate that each study participant had CAS and to detail the severity of his or her blockage. 

Eye Docs Warn about Need for Exams and UV Protection

You might find more of your patients asking about exams or you might want to promote exams. Why? The American Academy of Ophthalmology and EyeCare America, a public-service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, released a public-service announcement, urging all Americans to make regular dilated eye exams a part of their health routine during Healthy Vision Month. It is receiving a great deal of coverage. Observed each year during the month of May, Healthy Vision Month is an annual campaign to educate the public about ways to make their healthy vision last a lifetime. In addition to routine eye exams, healthy habits -- such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and wearing sunglasses -- can help prevent eye disease and vision loss.Read more.

Additionally, most Americans don't recognize the importance of ultraviolet (UV) protection for their eyes to prevent damage and visual impairment.  In fact, according to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) recent American Eye-Q survey,  only 47 percent of Americans said UV protection is the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses. Additionally, less than one-third (28 percent) of Americans indicated that wearing sunglasses and sunscreen should always go hand in hand.Read more. So pull out those UV and sunwear displays.

Minorities at High Risk for Eye Disease

April is National Minority Health Month and, as with many health concerns, minority populations are at a greater risk for eye disease and visual impairment. For example, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness among African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S. Three times as many African Americans have glaucoma than Caucasians, and four times as many are blind. EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wants to improve access to care for underserved communities by offering free or no out-of-pocket cost eye exams to qualifying individuals. Regular eye exams are imperative to detect and treat eye diseases and prevent serious vision loss. This is especially true for people age 65 and older who are at increased risk for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

• Among African Americans, the leading causes of blindness are cataract and glaucoma. African Americans are also at greater risk for diabetic retinopathy.
• Among Hispanics, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness but goes undetected in 82 percent of cases. Hispanics are also at greater risk for cataract and diabetic retinopathy.
• Asian Americans are at increased risk for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Protective Eyewear Could Stop 40,000 Eye Injuries Annually

Each year, more than 40,000 Americans injure their eyes during sports and recreational activities such as baseball, basketball and tennis. Unfortunately, approximately one-third of those eye-injury victims are school-aged children.

April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, through its EyeSmart program, is reminding individuals that the only way to prevent a sports-related eye injury is for athletes to wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional. You  might want to jump on the bandwagon, reminding your patients that sports-related eye injuries range from abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lids to internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding. The good news is, almost all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented using appropriate protective eye wear. Read more.

AAO Increasing Awareness about Treatments for AMD

In recognition of Age-related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology seeks to increase awareness of AMD and the latest clinical advances and prevention measures. The most exciting new approaches for dry AMD, the most common form, include:

• Medicine-secreting implants that protect dying cells,
• New drugs that aim to prevent damage to the retina,
• Clinical trials of medicines intended to slow the progression of dry AMD, and
• A prosthesis system, known as Second Sight, which attaches to the outside surface of the eye and connects to an electrode placed in the retina. A camera mounted on a pair of glasses communicates with the implant. This device is in clinical trials in the United States and is already in use in Europe.

New, highly effective injectable medications are dramatically reducing damage from wet AMD, which affects about 10 percent of Americans, such as:

• Avastin and Lucentis, which have been shown to reduce visual acuity loss in most patients and improves vision in some patients, and,
• A new injectable drug, Eylea, which received FDA-approval in late 2011.