On the new edition of the web radio and blog series Healthy Vision with Dr. Val Jones, Jason Pingel, OD, and Christi Closson, OD, join Dr. Val to talk about how to get the full benefit of contact lens wear and reduce the chances of developing problems that could have an effect on your vision and the health of your eyes.
Soft contact lenses are worn safely and comfortably by millions of people worldwide, and have a long history of providing wearers with a safe and effective form of vision correction when properly worn and cared for. However, research shows that many contact lens wearers are significantly non-compliant in virtually all active steps involved in soft contact lens wear, including hand washing, case hygiene, lens disinfection, and following the recommended lens replacement schedule.
“It is essential that you learn and practice good hygiene when handling contact lenses, and follow your doctor’s instructions for contact lens wearing and replacement schedules, lens care, and disinfecting routines,” explains Dr. Pingel, who runs a private practice in Kansas City. “When infections in contact lens wearers occur they are often found among individuals who improperly store, handle, or disinfect their contacts.”
In addition to answering commonly asked questions about sleeping in contact lenses, proper techniques for cleaning and storing contact lenses, and the risks of cleaning your contacts with any kind of water, the doctors offer some pre-Halloween advice to parents or anyone thinking of purchasing or wearing cosmetic lenses without a contact lens examination and prescription.
“Buying contact lenses without a prescription can pose serious risks to your sight or eye health,” warns Dr. Closson, Professor at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Portland. “Contact lenses require precise fitting and careful follow up care from a trained eyecare professional. By buying and wearing contact lenses without medical guidance and a valid prescription, you may put yourself or your child at risk for serious, even blinding eye infections.”
In conjunction with the show, to help new and current contact lens wearers better understand how to safely wear and care for their contacts, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has developed a new educational resource, Healthy Vision & Contact Lenses available at www.acuvue.com/press.
Healthy Vision with Dr. Val Jones is devoted to educating and improving the eye health of Americans. The program is supported by ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses and is hosted by Val Jones, M.D, CEO, of Better Health, LLC, a network of popular health bloggers, and author of, “Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason.”
Free podcasts of Healthy Vision with Dr. Val Jones can be found on BlogTalk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/healthyvision).
