Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
If you want decorative contact lenses:
• Get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional, even if you think your vision is good.
• Get a prescription that includes the brand and lens dimensions.
• Buy the lenses from an eye care professional or a vendor that requires a prescription.
• Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_a2e1b7d8-b2df-5a8d-81d0-92c6b1a69589.html#ixzz1ajKgGEPB
The availability of decorative lenses — also called plano or zero-powered lenses — is increasing, worrying eye specialists. (Chris Polydoroff/ St. Paul Pioneer Press)
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_a2e1b7d8-b2df-5a8d-81d0-92c6b1a69589.html#ixzz1ajOTrDBk
The availability of decorative lenses — also called plano or zero-powered lenses — is increasing, worrying eye specialists. (Chris Polydoroff/ St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Get a prescription that includes the brand and lens dimensions.
• Buy the lenses from an eye care professional or a vendor that requires a prescription.
• Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_a2e1b7d8-b2df-5a8d-81d0-92c6b1a69589.html#ixzz1ajKgGEPB
The availability of decorative lenses — also called plano or zero-powered lenses — is increasing, worrying eye specialists. (Chris Polydoroff/ St. Paul Pioneer Press)
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_a2e1b7d8-b2df-5a8d-81d0-92c6b1a69589.html#ixzz1ajOTrDBk
The availability of decorative lenses — also called plano or zero-powered lenses — is increasing, worrying eye specialists. (Chris Polydoroff/ St. Paul Pioneer Press)
CooperVision steps up contact lens recall effort
By MATTHEW PERRONE , 10.12.11, 05:27 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- One of the nation's largest eye care companies is stepping up efforts to publicize its recall of more than a half-million contact lenses after coming under pressure from federal health regulators.
CooperVision issued its second announcement in two months about the recall of 600,000 Avaira Toric contact lenses linked to pain, red eye and blurred vision by wearers. The company first announced the recall Aug. 19 and said it had focused its efforts on more than 7,000 eye care professionals who sell the lenses.
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday a larger effort was needed to alert consumers to the defective products, which contain a residue caused by a manufacturing problem.
ANY MORE INFORMATION JUST GO THROUGH THIS LINK
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/10/12/general-health-care-us-coopervision-contact-lens-recall_8731570.html
FDA spokeswoman Morgan Liscinsky said late Wednesday the agency is reviewing CooperVision's latest announcement to see if it addresses the agency's concerns.
"Failing resolution of those concerns, the FDA may issue a separate public communication," Liscinsky said in an emailed statement.
The increasingly public back-and-forth between Pleasanton, Calif., CooperVision and the FDA underscores the government's limited authority to dictate the handling of recalls.
he FDA generally negotiates the terms of product recalls with companies, though the agency cannot order a company to recall a product or dictate the terms of the plan. Earlier this year the FDA gained the power to order recalls of unsafe food as part of a federal overhaul of the U.S. food safety system. Consumer advocates and some lawmakers have long supported giving FDA the same power to order recalls of drugs and medical products, though efforts have never passed Congress.
CooperVision said it "has fully cooperated with the FDA and continues to closely monitor the situation." Reports of hazy vision and discomfort have continued since the company first announced the recall. More than 8 million lenses are affected by the problems, according to the FDA, though only 600,000 made it onto the U.S. market.
Shares of the Cooper Companies Inc. ( COO - news - people ) rose $2.01, or 2.8 percent, to close at $74.16 Wednesday, after a Wells Fargo ( WFC - news - people ) analyst said the financial impact of the recall would be small. The company's stock fell 8 percent in trading the previous day.
Wells Fargo's Larry Biegelsen said in a note that Avaira Toric lenses made up 1 percent of the company's sales last year, adding that the company is not aware of any permanent eye or vision damage linked to the products. CooperVision previously set aside $14 million to pay for the recall. The company plans to relaunch the lenses later this year after the FDA signs off on manufacturing changes.
WASHINGTON -- One of the nation's largest eye care companies is stepping up efforts to publicize its recall of more than a half-million contact lenses after coming under pressure from federal health regulators.
CooperVision issued its second announcement in two months about the recall of 600,000 Avaira Toric contact lenses linked to pain, red eye and blurred vision by wearers. The company first announced the recall Aug. 19 and said it had focused its efforts on more than 7,000 eye care professionals who sell the lenses.
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday a larger effort was needed to alert consumers to the defective products, which contain a residue caused by a manufacturing problem.
ANY MORE INFORMATION JUST GO THROUGH THIS LINK
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/10/12/general-health-care-us-coopervision-contact-lens-recall_8731570.html
FDA spokeswoman Morgan Liscinsky said late Wednesday the agency is reviewing CooperVision's latest announcement to see if it addresses the agency's concerns.
"Failing resolution of those concerns, the FDA may issue a separate public communication," Liscinsky said in an emailed statement.
The increasingly public back-and-forth between Pleasanton, Calif., CooperVision and the FDA underscores the government's limited authority to dictate the handling of recalls.
he FDA generally negotiates the terms of product recalls with companies, though the agency cannot order a company to recall a product or dictate the terms of the plan. Earlier this year the FDA gained the power to order recalls of unsafe food as part of a federal overhaul of the U.S. food safety system. Consumer advocates and some lawmakers have long supported giving FDA the same power to order recalls of drugs and medical products, though efforts have never passed Congress.
CooperVision said it "has fully cooperated with the FDA and continues to closely monitor the situation." Reports of hazy vision and discomfort have continued since the company first announced the recall. More than 8 million lenses are affected by the problems, according to the FDA, though only 600,000 made it onto the U.S. market.
Shares of the Cooper Companies Inc. ( COO - news - people ) rose $2.01, or 2.8 percent, to close at $74.16 Wednesday, after a Wells Fargo ( WFC - news - people ) analyst said the financial impact of the recall would be small. The company's stock fell 8 percent in trading the previous day.
Wells Fargo's Larry Biegelsen said in a note that Avaira Toric lenses made up 1 percent of the company's sales last year, adding that the company is not aware of any permanent eye or vision damage linked to the products. CooperVision previously set aside $14 million to pay for the recall. The company plans to relaunch the lenses later this year after the FDA signs off on manufacturing changes.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
contact lens problems
Causes for Contact Lens Irritation
Irritation may occur as a result of worn-out lenses, over-wear of lenses, poor care of lenses, intolerance to solutions, or infections. Irritation may also occur from poor hygiene on the part of the lens wearer.
If worn longer than recommended or in people whose eyes are particularly sensitive, lenses may develop deposits on the surface of the lenses and cause irritation.
A major cause of blinding eye infections is spitting on a contact lens or putting the lens in one's mouth when no solution is available. This happens when a contact lens wearer must remove a lens or if a lens falls out of the eye and no solution is available. The best prevention is to have a small bottle of rewetting solution with you at all times. Never, never put your contact lenses in your mouth to lubricate them.
Some people use homemade or non-contact-lens saline solutions in an effort to save money. These solutions may cause severe irritation or blinding infections (some saline solutions are not sterile) and should never be used. Always use the correct contact-lens solution recommended by the fitter. If you want to change solutions, you should first check with your fitter because some solutions may be incompatible with certain lenses.
Irritation may occur as a result of worn-out lenses, over-wear of lenses, poor care of lenses, intolerance to solutions, or infections. Irritation may also occur from poor hygiene on the part of the lens wearer.
If worn longer than recommended or in people whose eyes are particularly sensitive, lenses may develop deposits on the surface of the lenses and cause irritation.
A major cause of blinding eye infections is spitting on a contact lens or putting the lens in one's mouth when no solution is available. This happens when a contact lens wearer must remove a lens or if a lens falls out of the eye and no solution is available. The best prevention is to have a small bottle of rewetting solution with you at all times. Never, never put your contact lenses in your mouth to lubricate them.
Some people use homemade or non-contact-lens saline solutions in an effort to save money. These solutions may cause severe irritation or blinding infections (some saline solutions are not sterile) and should never be used. Always use the correct contact-lens solution recommended by the fitter. If you want to change solutions, you should first check with your fitter because some solutions may be incompatible with certain lenses.
Friday, July 29, 2011
CORRECTION OF KERATOCONUS WITH GAS PERMEABLE (GP) CONTACT LENSES
The detection and management of keratoconus has been simplified with the use of corneal topographers and optical coherence tomographers, which are able to more accurately match lens type with cone type. This booklet was designed to help pracitioners choose the most appropriate lens design, in addition to:
correcting keratoconus with contact lenses
GP lens designs and fitting tips
follow-up and management strategies
strategies for addessing complications
correcting keratoconus with contact lenses
GP lens designs and fitting tips
follow-up and management strategies
strategies for addessing complications
CORRECTION OF PRESBYOPIA WITH GAS PERMEABLE (GP) CONTACT LENSES
Presbyopia can be safely and effectively corrected with contemporary gas permeable multifocal (bifocal) contact lenses, but statistics indicate that they remain the most underutilized contact lenses on the market. This booklet demonstrates the ease with which these lenses can now be fit and managed, including:
an overview of the latest GP multifocal designs
fitting GP multifocals for patient and practice success
educating, supporting and communicating with patients
an overview of the latest GP multifocal designs
fitting GP multifocals for patient and practice success
educating, supporting and communicating with patients
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Crackdown on illegal sale of contact lenses launched
MANILA, Philippines - To protect the health and safety of the general public, the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) has initiated an aggressive campaign against the rampant illegal dispensing and sale of contact lenses online and in small retail stalls in Metro Manila.
“Contact lenses are not cosmetic products, they are regulated medical devices. As such, only certified and accredited optometrists are authorized and qualified to examine and determine a patient’s need for prescription contact lenses and to legally dispense these,” said IPAO president Dr. Mary Gaw-So.
“Contact lenses not registered with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and dispensed by non-doctors can cause serious adverse effects. We urge the general public to consult only certified and licensed optometrists for their contact lens and other eye care needs,” said Dr. Charlie Ho, IPAO immediate past president who is also a practicing lawyer.
The dispensing, importation, manufacture and sale of contact lenses are legally governed by the FDA and Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry of the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
FDA registration is proof that a particular contact lens brand has undergone and passed the requisite quality testing, complied with established product standards, and is safe for public consumption or use.
Contact lenses regardless of clarity, color and grade must be prescribed/dispensed to and/or fitted only on patients who have been properly examined and assessed by qualified and certified optometrists.
“A qualified optometrist ensures optimum fit and biocompatibility of the contact lens to achieve its desired performance through proper device delivery and after-care service,” said Dr. Anita S. Villarta, chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry.
According to Republic Act 8050 otherwise known as the Revised Optometry Law of 1995, an optometrist is “a person who has been certified by the Board of Optometry and registered with the PRC as being qualified to practice optometry in the Philippines.”
Optometry is defined as “the science and art of examining the human eye, analyzing the ocular function, prescribing and dispensing ophthalmic lenses, prisms, contact lenses, and their accessories and solutions, low vision aids, and similar appliances and devices, conducting ocular exercises, vision training, orthoptics, installing prosthetics, using authorized diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPA), and other preventive or corrective measures or procedures for the aid, correction, rehabilitation or relief of the human eye, or to attain maximum vision and comfort.”
IPAO is the integrated national organization of optometrists practicing in the country accredited by the PRC. It was formed in 1976 through the integration of three organizations: Samahan ng Optometrist sa Pilipinas (SOP), Philippine Optometric Association (POA) and Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP). To date, IPAO has more than 3,000 members in 65 local chapters and seven international chapters.
“Beyond improving the standards of optometry practice, IPAO is also duty-bound to protect the general public from harm caused by unscrupulous individuals who illegally practice our profession,” said Gaw-So.
“To those who illegally dispense and sell contact lenses, whether online or in small retail stalls in Metro Manila, your days are numbered,” Ho warned. “IPAO, in partnership with the police enforcers, will find, arrest and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Contact lenses are not cosmetic products, they are regulated medical devices. As such, only certified and accredited optometrists are authorized and qualified to examine and determine a patient’s need for prescription contact lenses and to legally dispense these,” said IPAO president Dr. Mary Gaw-So.
“Contact lenses not registered with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and dispensed by non-doctors can cause serious adverse effects. We urge the general public to consult only certified and licensed optometrists for their contact lens and other eye care needs,” said Dr. Charlie Ho, IPAO immediate past president who is also a practicing lawyer.
The dispensing, importation, manufacture and sale of contact lenses are legally governed by the FDA and Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry of the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
FDA registration is proof that a particular contact lens brand has undergone and passed the requisite quality testing, complied with established product standards, and is safe for public consumption or use.
Contact lenses regardless of clarity, color and grade must be prescribed/dispensed to and/or fitted only on patients who have been properly examined and assessed by qualified and certified optometrists.
“A qualified optometrist ensures optimum fit and biocompatibility of the contact lens to achieve its desired performance through proper device delivery and after-care service,” said Dr. Anita S. Villarta, chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry.
According to Republic Act 8050 otherwise known as the Revised Optometry Law of 1995, an optometrist is “a person who has been certified by the Board of Optometry and registered with the PRC as being qualified to practice optometry in the Philippines.”
Optometry is defined as “the science and art of examining the human eye, analyzing the ocular function, prescribing and dispensing ophthalmic lenses, prisms, contact lenses, and their accessories and solutions, low vision aids, and similar appliances and devices, conducting ocular exercises, vision training, orthoptics, installing prosthetics, using authorized diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPA), and other preventive or corrective measures or procedures for the aid, correction, rehabilitation or relief of the human eye, or to attain maximum vision and comfort.”
IPAO is the integrated national organization of optometrists practicing in the country accredited by the PRC. It was formed in 1976 through the integration of three organizations: Samahan ng Optometrist sa Pilipinas (SOP), Philippine Optometric Association (POA) and Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP). To date, IPAO has more than 3,000 members in 65 local chapters and seven international chapters.
“Beyond improving the standards of optometry practice, IPAO is also duty-bound to protect the general public from harm caused by unscrupulous individuals who illegally practice our profession,” said Gaw-So.
“To those who illegally dispense and sell contact lenses, whether online or in small retail stalls in Metro Manila, your days are numbered,” Ho warned. “IPAO, in partnership with the police enforcers, will find, arrest and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
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