An Optometrist and lecturer at the University for Development Studies‘ School of Medicine, Dr Issah Imoro, has cautioned the public against using costume/coloured contact lenses without the prescription of a qualified eye professional.
He said this call was necessitated by the proliferation of these contact lenses in the market and beauty shops patronised by the public.
Coloured contact lenses are specially designed to mimic the coloured part of the eye called the iris. Contact lenses are placed over the clear protective layer of the eye called the cornea and this, according to Dr Imoro, makes them medical devices that require the prescription of a qualified professional contrary to over-the-counter merchandise.
An eye professional may prescribe coloured contact lenses for different reasons one of which is aesthetic when there is a visible scar on the cornea affecting the appearance of an individual.
However, in recent times, coloured contact lenses have become fashion especially used by women to change their looks to match their clothing. In the United States and societies that observe Halloween, the use of unprescribed coloured contact lenses is always an issue of serious concern since there are always increased reports of eye damage due to unprescribed usage for the festivities.
In giving recommendations, Dr Imoro said there is the need for intense public education on the use of unprescribed coloured contact lenses since some of its complications like corneal scarring can lead to permanent damage to eyes resulting in blindness.
Dr Imoro further called on the health regulatory authorities to be strict in sanctioning merchandises that endanger the visual health of citizens by dealing in these unlicensed products.
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