[Eye problems due to contact lenses; an advisory report from the Health Council of the Netherlands].
In a recent report, the Committee on Health Risks of Contact Lenses from the Health Council of the Netherlands evaluated the health risks of contact lens wear in the Netherlands. Contact lens-related eye disease appears to be common, with an incidence of approximately 80,000 persons per year, who suffer from self-limiting or mild conditions. Such conditions are multifactorial, caused for example by chronic hypoxia, tear-film dysfunction or inadequate fit of the lens. They can range from ocular irritation to giant papillary conjunctivitis, a common cause of permanent lens intolerance. A very serious complication of contact lens wear is infectious keratitis, caused by bacteria or fungi. This is most common in users of permanent-wear soft lenses (20 per 10,000 persons per year) and can lead to a severe loss of vision. Therefore, the Committee has recommended that permanent-wear lenses should not be used. Moreover, lens fitting and follow-up of contact lens wearers should be a prerequisite for optometrists and ophthalmologists. However, the Dutch government has not taken action with respect to this last recommendation.
Schlingemann
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Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Oogheelkunde, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam. r.schlingemann@amc.uva.nl
Nieuwendaal
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CP
D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear / Q000009:adverse effects; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors