Dr Lourens van Zyl, an ophthalmologist at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, says many people get eye infections from cosmetic contact lenses. In the past year he has treated three teenagers who are now partially blind as a result of incorrectly using them.

They didn't know you shouldn't sleep with them in your eyes or that they must be discarded after a certain period,he says. Some teens even exchange contact lenses at parties, which means infections spread.

Cape Town optometrist Susanna Coleman advises: Cosmetic contacts are not suitable for all eyes. They're thicker than ordinary lenses and if they don't fit properly or aren't worn correctly too little oxygen reaches the eye. This can cause an infection that can develop into an ulcer and lead to blindness

Optometrists aren't permitted to sell contact lenses without first giving the patient a thorough eye examination. Report the illegal sale of contact lenses to the Health Professionals Council of South Africa on 012-338-9301 / the SA Optometric Association on 087-310-7262 / the Ombudsman for Optometry, Lucky Nkosi on 072-617-1124.

Source: You magazine Friday 16 July.