Eyeworld

61 EW CORNEA May 2016 issue and report any cases of infec- tions and adverse events, as well as any knowledge of illegal sale of the lenses. EW Dr. Rhee first discussed some "sobering facts." The number 1 risk factor for corneal infections is contact lens wear, she said. "There are 41 million Americans 18 or over who wear contact lenses," she add- ed. In 2013, Dr. Rhee said that the U.S. government seized 20,000 pairs of illegally imported counterfeit contact lenses. Dr. Rhee spoke about decorative contact lenses, particularly circle lenses that are popular for making the eyes look big or doll-like. These have become quite popular in adolescents and young adults and are easy to get on the Internet. The circle lenses were popularized in Asia, and that popularity spread to the U.S. Though the U.S. media has re- ported risks of circle lenses, Dr. Rhee said decorative lenses are trending upward. In 2015, data from 34 coun- tries showed that 11% of contact lens fittings were decorative, Dr. Rhee said, with the highest percent in Asia. She added that these are just the known patients, so the numbers could actually be higher. Though not all decorative lenses are bad, the problem comes with those that are used without a prescription, Dr. Rhee said. Many of these lenses come from questionable sources and are often linked to infec- tions. Dr. Rhee said that 73% of the lenses are purchased over the count- er at beauty and Halloween stores. Some may be shared or borrowed or come from the Internet. Ocular problems like limbal stem cell deficiency could occur with these lenses. Microbial keratitis is another concern, and Dr. Rhee added that the pigment from these lenses can actually come off. The lenses are easy to order, anyone can do it, and they're completely unregulated. Dr. Rhee detailed how she went through the process of ordering lenses online to prove how simple it is to obtain them. Dr. Rhee said it's important to ask every patient about decorative contact lens use and to educate them about the potential concerns and problems that can occur. She also recommended that physicians collaborate with colleagues on this Editors' note: The physicians have no financial interests related to their comments. Contact information Raviv: talraviv@eyecenterofny.com Rhee: michelle.rhee@mssm.edu Only the HOLOS IntraOp ™ Wavefront Aberrometer continuously streams patient refractive data. Meaning you'll get a non-stop look at your procedure as it changes. And see cataract surgery in a whole new light. With HOLOS, precision doesn't pause —and neither will you. Really real time. ©2016 Clarity Medical Systems Inc. PN 100331 Rev A 04/16 HOLOS.com IOL Predictor Coming Mid-year 2016

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