MEDIA |
Contact Lens Wear
by-Andrew McKinnon People who wear contact lenses are at risk of serious eye infection and blindness if they do not follow hygienic practices, optometrists have warned. The warning comes as title-winning boxer, Anthony Mundine, is in hospital with a career-threatening eye infection and no sight in his left eye. It is believed Mundine contracted the infection after putting a contact lens in his mouth prior to placing it on his eye. People were regularly admitted to hospital with serious eye infections caused by unhygienic practices, said the NSW Division of the Optometrists Association of Australia. "People just don't realise that contact lenses or novelty lenses are actually therapeutic devices and they are introducing a foreign object to the eye which is highly susceptible to harmful bacteria," said executive director Andrew McKinnon. "Optometrists will always warn users of the dangers of lenses which are not properly prepared first and the procedures required to safely use these devices." However popular novelty lenses, which were not prescribed by eye specialists, could still be obtained over the internet or at the markets, Mr McKinnon said. The quality and condition of these lenses were sometimes questionable and users rarely received advice on proper hygiene practices in these settings, he said. The consequences of using unclean lenses can be severe. Earlier this year a 15-year-old girl required a corneal graft for one of her eyes after being blinded following an infection from a novelty lens. She has since regained her sight from an operation using a donor cornea. Mr McKinnon advised people who wear contact lenses to always wash their hands before putting them on, and to never use water or saliva to clean them. Mundine is expected to spend at least a week in hospital while doctors determine the extent of the eye infection, before any decisions are made about his boxing career |
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QLD UV CampaignMedia release embargo 17 January 2006 UV exposure: Lack of awareness putting our eyes at riskOptometrists Association Australia is concerned that only 1 in 10 people is aware of the risks of UV rays to their eyes and believes Australians are underestimating the impact of UV eye damage. A recent Newspoll survey commissioned by Optometrists Association Australia (OAA), shows that while people are well aware of the effects of UV radiation exposure on their skin, alarmingly they are much less aware of the damage it can cause to their eyes. When asked to list the harmful effects of exposure to UV rays, only 11 percent spontaneously mentioned damage to the eyes while 89 percent mentioned cancer. “Australians face serious health consequences if they don’t take appropriate action to protect their eyes from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays,” says Shannon Pugh, OAA Queensland President. “Just as exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, exposing your eyes to UV rays without adequate eye protection can cause conditions that can lead to loss of sight,” says Ms Pugh. After prompting, 98 per cent of survey respondents mentioned sunburn and skin cancer as conditions related to UV exposure while only 56 per cent mentioned cataract, which is the major contributor to UV related eye disease. Statistics reveal the direct costs of cataract will increase from $326 million to $660 million by 2020. The cost of cataract will double by the end of next decade. Currently, 33 percent of Australians over 55 have some form of cataract. The Optometrists Association is urging people to ensure that they have the correct eye protection against UV damage this summer. “You need to make sure your sunglasses fit well and meet Australian standards – you don’t have to choose the most expensive pair, just as long as your eyes are protected,’ says Ms Pugh. “If you are a prescription lens wearer either prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses that change tint with light conditions, will provide convenient UV protection,” she says. OPTOMETRISTS ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA SUMMER EYECARE CHECKLIST
Visit the Optometrists Association Australia website at www.optometrists.asn.au for further information. -ends- About the Newspoll survey 1,200 Australians aged 18+ completed telephone interviews between 30 September- 2 October 2005. For further information or to schedule an interview please call: Robert Hilkes, OAA on 03 9663 6833 or 0413 338 144. Emily Armet, Fenton Communications on 03 9600 0006 or 0414 742 307.
The Economic Impact and Cost of Vision Loss in Australia, Access Economics Pty Limited, August 2004. Health Insurance statistics and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare “Vision Problems Among Older Australians” July 2005. For immediate release. Authorised by Greg Johnson, Executive Director, OAA Queensland/Northern Territory, media enquiries invited to 07 3839 4411 or 0414 783 343. |