PEOPLE have been warned against wearing cheap, counterfeit contact lenses as it could lead to blindness.
Bahrain’s health regulators have launched a public awareness campaign following ‘several reports’ of unlicensed contact lenses being sold in the local market for prices as low as BD2 to BD3.
The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) said coloured lenses, that are often illegally imported into the country, could cause serious eye infections, even leading to visual impairment.
“We urge people to be careful while purchasing contact lenses and ensure the shops are licensed,” said NHRA engineering consultant and medical device regulation section acting head Nada Ghassan Alsayegh.
“The NHRA has been inspecting, monitoring and regulating medical equipment in Bahrain and several stores have been caught violating regulations. Relevant procedures have been taken.”
Contact lenses pose high risk to the eyes as they are placed directly on ocular mucosa – a highly sensitive part of body’s immune system which protects the eye against allergic, inflammatory and infectious diseases.
According to studies, it is critical to ensure that these lenses are manufactured with materials that do not react or introduce microorganisms or chemicals that can cause infection, inflammation or blindness.
“Contact lenses are medical equipment,” said Ms Alsayegh.
“Those importing and selling them need to take a licence from the NHRA to ensure the products are authentic and safe.
“We received several complaints related to contact lenses and the majority pertained to cheap products.
“We held a meeting with private optical shop owners and took a feedback on the possibilities of counterfeits in the market, how to identify them and seize them.
“We are launching a new drive as we find it necessary to spread awareness amongst people.”
The NHRA is set to launch another campaign targeting shops selling these items.
“Optical outlets need NHRA approval to sell contacts – even if the simple or coloured lenses are zero-powered,” she said.
“Every shipment must be approved.”
Global reports also indicate a black market which has risen to meet the demand for cheap contact lenses.
“We see contact lenses being sold in the market for BD2 or BD3 – people are tempted by such low prices, but these are illegally imported into the country,” said Ms Alsayegh.
“Contact lenses are products that need monitoring on many levels, especially their storage and manufacturing methods.
“Products that don’t match the set criteria can cause serious reactions leading to severe damage to eyes, including loss of sight.”
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had recently warned customers over spooky lenses gaining popularity during the Halloween season. It alerted people to be wary before buying decorative lenses, adding that these were “not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise”.
The FDA cited that ophthalmologist or optometrist must measure each eye to find a suitable lens and evaluate how each person responded to it.
“A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris – the part of the eye that gives you your eye colour), corneal infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), decreased vision or blindness,” the FDA added.
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