Eye Infections May Increase Sales of Disposable Contact Lenses
Continued reports of contact lens solutions causing serious eye infections could bolster the case for and sales of disposable contact lenses. Disposable lenses do away with the need for cleaning lenses and provide users with fresh lenses each day. Disposable lenses are becoming more cost-competitive, and experts feel that doctors may begin to recommend them more often. However, the cost of disposable lenses may prevent them from becoming the first choice for consumers.
At this time, approximately 36 million Americans wear contact lenses and are notoriously bad about taking care of their lenses; chances of catching infections are worse when contact lenses are not cleaned properly and frequently enough. Daily disposables take away cleaning and storage worries. The cost of disposable contact lenses varies; some sell for up to $2 a day per pair. Sometimes, disposable lenses can be bought in bulk, which would save the consumer some money, but disposable lenses are still approximately twice as expensive as non-disposable lenses.
In recent years, several contact lens solutions have been removed from the market after being linked to a rare but serious eye infection that can severely corrode the cornea and even lead to blindness. The infection is called acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and is a microscopic, water-borne parasite that invades the cornea. The infection occurs almost exclusively in contact lens wearers. Once diagnosed, patients with AK are treated with multiple antibiotics including antifungals, and hospitalization is usually necessary. Even if the infection is brought under control, some patients may suffer severe corneal scarring and require a cornea transplant. In the worst cases, severe vision loss and blindness can occur.
The most recent contact lens solution to be recalled due to reports of AK in its users, was Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution manufactured by AMO (Advanced Medical Optics). This product was recalled in November 2006 due to concerns of possible contamination in the company's facility in China. The recall affected almost two hundred thousands units of the product that were shipped to the United States.
To learn more about the potential dangers of contact lenses, click here to read a comparative article on extended wear contacts vs. lasik eye surgery.
At this time, approximately 36 million Americans wear contact lenses and are notoriously bad about taking care of their lenses; chances of catching infections are worse when contact lenses are not cleaned properly and frequently enough. Daily disposables take away cleaning and storage worries. The cost of disposable contact lenses varies; some sell for up to $2 a day per pair. Sometimes, disposable lenses can be bought in bulk, which would save the consumer some money, but disposable lenses are still approximately twice as expensive as non-disposable lenses.
In recent years, several contact lens solutions have been removed from the market after being linked to a rare but serious eye infection that can severely corrode the cornea and even lead to blindness. The infection is called acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and is a microscopic, water-borne parasite that invades the cornea. The infection occurs almost exclusively in contact lens wearers. Once diagnosed, patients with AK are treated with multiple antibiotics including antifungals, and hospitalization is usually necessary. Even if the infection is brought under control, some patients may suffer severe corneal scarring and require a cornea transplant. In the worst cases, severe vision loss and blindness can occur.
The most recent contact lens solution to be recalled due to reports of AK in its users, was Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution manufactured by AMO (Advanced Medical Optics). This product was recalled in November 2006 due to concerns of possible contamination in the company's facility in China. The recall affected almost two hundred thousands units of the product that were shipped to the United States.
To learn more about the potential dangers of contact lenses, click here to read a comparative article on extended wear contacts vs. lasik eye surgery.
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