Contact Lens Health Week - August 22-26, 2022
The creation of contact lenses has made it easier for people to wear them. However, with the increasing popularity of contact lenses, many people have also started to neglect their proper care and use. As a result, there are many cases where people have developed eye diseases or deteriorated their eyesight from improper use and care.
This is why Contact Lens Health Week was established in 1999—to encourage people to practice proper care and use of contact lenses by educating them about the risks associated with improper care. This week is observed on the third week of August each year so that it can be included in school curriculums nationwide.
It aims to educate the public about the proper use and care for contact lenses, thereby reducing the number of eye infections caused by mishandling contact lenses.
History of Contact Lens Health Week
The first record of glasses for improving one’s eyesight dates back to the 14th century, when very primitive lenses were crafted into frames. Salvino D’Armate is the most likely inventor of wearable glasses. From there, framed spectacles became more refined, handmade, and only available to the elite.
Glasses had become more accessible at about the time of the industrial revolution. In the early 1800s, Thomas Young created the first contact lens prototype using wax and waterfilled lenses, followed by another set of lenses correcting light refracturing.
Over the next century, contact lenses were given more attention. By the 1940s, real progress had been made in creating a reliable replacement for everyday glasses. But it wasn’t until introducing soft lenses that people started buying into the idea en masse.
The general public now opts between glasses and contact lenses, but most people do so without proper care and maintenance. Contact lenses come with two important details: a replacement schedule and a wear schedule. The most advanced contact lenses can be worn for a maximum of 30 days and nights, then they need to be replaced with fresh lenses.
Common Questions about Contact Lenses
Can a contact lens move behind your eye?
Contact lenses can only go as far as the crease in the conjunctiva, underneath your upper eyelid and can't move behind your eye – nothing can get trapped there! Contact lenses can sometimes become a little stuck, most often when you've slept in them by mistake. To take out stubborn lenses, insert a few eye drops, gently massage your eyelid, then remove as usual.
If I drop a contact lens, can I still put it into my eye?
Contact lenses must be completely sterile before inserting into the eye. If you drop a lens or it becomes dirty when inserting, you should disinfect it before use.
I work in a dusty or dirty environment. Can I wear contact lenses?
If you work in an environment prone to dust, dirt, and smoke, wear safety goggles to protect your lenses. Your employer should supply the correct eyewear for you at work. Exposing your contact lenses to these environments can trap foreign particles and irritate them.
If I don’t have my lens solutions with me, how can I store my lenses?
The only way to effectively and hygienically store your lenses is by using lens solution. They can't be stored in water, which may lead to contamination and eye infections. If you can't store your lenses properly, the safest thing to do is dispose of them. If you find that this happens quite often, daily disposable lenses might be an option instead.
Can children wear contact lenses?
Contact lenses must be dealt with carefully, which is why they're unsuitable for young children, typically those under six. However, if your child is capable of handling and wearing contact lenses, it's certainly an option to consider, though much patience will be required. Always supervise your child when using contact lenses.
Observing Contact Lens Health Week
The CDC funds a host of initiatives to get people talking about the proper use of contact lenses. CDC worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), eye care providers, contact lens and product manufacturers, and academic partners to develop messages about the healthy wear and care of contact lenses. These messages were incorporated into web content, health education materials, and other efforts to raise awareness about this issue.
This week-long observance is about your eyes – go and visit your optometrist if you need to have any corrections made to your current prescription or find out if you need one.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/cdc-at-work.html
https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/contact-lens-health-week.html