PROFESSIONAL contact lens practitioners in Singapore are very cognisant of the need to make contact lens wear as safe as possible ("Constant monitoring needed to reduce risk" by Professor Donald Tan, Adjunct Associate Professor Lim Li and Professor Wong Tien Yin; Monday).
Safe contact lens wear can be summarised as: Do my eyes "look good" (no redness), "feel good" (no irritation) and "see good" (vision is sharp and clear). These can be easily achieved with proper hygiene and prompt follow-up with eye-care practitioners to manage problems.
The letter quoted a United States study which found that the infection rate for children is 13.9 in 10,000, but omitted to mention the infection rate for adults, which is zero in 10,000. Also, none of the infections resulted in any permanent damage or vision loss.
Compared to atropine management of myopia control, where the long-term risk of drug use is unknown and vision is put in an unnatural state, or with cosmetic surgical correction, Ortho-K for the purpose of myopia control has benefits outweighing its known, manageable risks.
For an infection to take place, the surface of the cornea has to be compromised by a foreign object. This can take place regardless of contact lens wear.
A clean, properly fitted contact lens does not cause cornea damage.
Contact lenses are a very safe method of vision correction, and are worn by more than 130 million people around the world.
Many research studies have proven the effectiveness of Ortho-K in controlling both the amount of myopia and myopia progression. It is for this reason that children are fitted with Ortho-K, minimising the risk of blinding conditions due to high myopia later in life.
With compliance and regular follow-ups, the risk of infections is very low.
The Singapore Optometric Association, Singapore Contact Lens Society and Society of Orthokeratology Singapore acknowledge that Ortho-K is not risk-free, especially where compliance is a problem. We strongly encourage both parents and young wearers to comply fully with the lens care regimen prescribed by their optometrists.
The contact lens industry fully supports the statement in the letter that "contact lens practitioners offering Ortho-K treatment have a professional duty to remain vigilant, perform regular examinations to recognise early infections, and refer cases promptly for diagnosis and medical treatment".
Koh Liang Hwee (Dr)
President
Singapore Optometric Association
Stan Isaacs (Dr)
President
Singapore Contact Lens Society and Society of Orthokeratology Singapore
Safe contact lens wear can be summarised as: Do my eyes "look good" (no redness), "feel good" (no irritation) and "see good" (vision is sharp and clear). These can be easily achieved with proper hygiene and prompt follow-up with eye-care practitioners to manage problems.
The letter quoted a United States study which found that the infection rate for children is 13.9 in 10,000, but omitted to mention the infection rate for adults, which is zero in 10,000. Also, none of the infections resulted in any permanent damage or vision loss.
Compared to atropine management of myopia control, where the long-term risk of drug use is unknown and vision is put in an unnatural state, or with cosmetic surgical correction, Ortho-K for the purpose of myopia control has benefits outweighing its known, manageable risks.
For an infection to take place, the surface of the cornea has to be compromised by a foreign object. This can take place regardless of contact lens wear.
A clean, properly fitted contact lens does not cause cornea damage.
Contact lenses are a very safe method of vision correction, and are worn by more than 130 million people around the world.
Many research studies have proven the effectiveness of Ortho-K in controlling both the amount of myopia and myopia progression. It is for this reason that children are fitted with Ortho-K, minimising the risk of blinding conditions due to high myopia later in life.
With compliance and regular follow-ups, the risk of infections is very low.
The Singapore Optometric Association, Singapore Contact Lens Society and Society of Orthokeratology Singapore acknowledge that Ortho-K is not risk-free, especially where compliance is a problem. We strongly encourage both parents and young wearers to comply fully with the lens care regimen prescribed by their optometrists.
The contact lens industry fully supports the statement in the letter that "contact lens practitioners offering Ortho-K treatment have a professional duty to remain vigilant, perform regular examinations to recognise early infections, and refer cases promptly for diagnosis and medical treatment".
Koh Liang Hwee (Dr)
President
Singapore Optometric Association
Stan Isaacs (Dr)
President
Singapore Contact Lens Society and Society of Orthokeratology Singapore
