EFFECTS OF WEARING CONTACT LENSES: WHEN FASHION BECOMES RISKY. FINAL PRODUCTION

 

 Do you know about contact lenses? Have you ever seen one of them? Do you have a mental picture of what they look like? Better still, do you know what they are meant for?
                                   Source: Wikipedia

A lady fixing a contact lens on the eye

Contact lenses were developed as an alternative for medical glasses to correct various eye defects. However, as time passed by, trends changed and contact lenses have become fashionable today. 

                                                Source: Instagram

A social media influencer with a contact lens on

According to Valuates report, the current size of contact lens market is estimated to be around 10 billion Dollars with over 120 Million people using it globally (https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-12R254/Global_Contact_Lenses_Market).

In Ghana, there is an increase in the use of these contact lenses as most of the youth wear them for both corrective and cosmetic purpose. It has also become a part of most women’s day to day makeup routine, which they often praise that it enhances their beauty. Two young ladies, Belinda and Mathilda respectively, expressed their motivations for wearing contact lenses.

                                  Belinda and Mathilda, students wearing contact lenses

Be it for medical or fashion purpose, wearing of contact lenses involves a number of risks that should not be taken lightly. Dr. Osuman Junior Murtada, an optometrist of Ivision Centre, in Accra, has shed more light on the potential complications involved in wearing contact lenses and the right way to go about it.

Dr. Osuman Junior Murtada - Optometrist,
 Ivision Centre, Accra 

The first common mistake he warned against is sleeping with a contact lenses on. He indicated that this starves the cornea from receiving oxygen. The second warning was about swimming with contact lenses on because this exposes to infections like acanthamoeba keratitis, which may lead to corneal ulcer

Dr. Osuman further advised that the eyes are not to be rubbed rigorously when contact lenses are worn to prevent the lenses from dislocating.

He added that Contact lenses do not expire, but they could be changed daily, monthly or yearly depending on the brand. However, the saline solution in the blister pack does expire.

Contact lenses can be worn for both fashionable and therapeutic purposes. However, to keep safe from any risk and  complications, it is advisable to consult an eye specialist before trying the experience.

 An  Article by Rhoda Esi Krah